AquaBlue

Are you an ASL Interpreter? If so please share with us your experiences and what you enjoy most about being a communicative aid to the Deaf and HOH. Post advice for young ASL students (like myself- young in knowledge but old in years ): It will be greatly appreciated. So calling out to all Terp members, please stand up and be counted. This thread is for you (and only you)!

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Deafness

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AquaBlue

I can't believe it...no replies??

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VamPyroX

Well, first of all... you put the thread in the wrong place. Second of all, you can't expect replies to happen instantly or within a day... especially when it relates to non-deaf people. Third of all, you did say that this thread was for "terp members" only.

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AquaBlue

It is for Terps only but none have shown up (yet); I have questions.

Where should this thread be? If the Admin would be so kind so as to move it to its proper place.

I know it has only been a day, but to ASL students everywhere (me) one day is like a trillion years!!

Thank you VamPyroX for your heart felt concern.

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VamPyroX

I've already moved the thread... "Captioning & Sign Language Interpreter"

Mod Note: Thread moved to the proper location.

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AquaBlue

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Etoile

Well, I'm an interpreter. Here I am! I know of several others on here so hopefully they will chime in too.

AquaBlue

Welcome Etoile. Do you have any advice for ASL students just starting out?

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Etoile

Honestly I'm not sure that I do! It has been a very long time since I was in any kind of ASL class, and I never took beginning ASL because I already had that skill level. Are you hoping to become an interpreter? I would have advice about interpreting if you are interested in that, but I'm not sure I have anything helpful on learning ASL! I will try to think of something.

AquaBlue

Yes I am very interested in becoming a Terp.

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interpreter

I'm an interpreter, too. I went to an ITP, but I got my training through the school of hard knocks. You need to have a thick skin.

It takes about 5 yrs to become fluent in any language. Immerse yourself in the deaf world.

Good luck!!

AquaBlue

Five freaking years!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

Wow! I am aiming at three years fluency. I do work hard everyday on my new language.

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AquaBlue

I would assume (and I hate to assume anything) that I must have an X amount of sign words (vocabulary) under my belt and a basic understanding of ASL grammar before I head out there and socialize with a Deaf group. Right??

Otherwise I will be making a damn fool out of myself.

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interpreter

Well, you're not going to become fluent until you immerse yourself.

AquaBlue

Should I immerse myself now when I am only beginning to learn how to construct phrases (ASL grammar) and building my vocabulary? I will be totally lost...would you still recommend that I immerse yourself at this stage in my learning?

And also, you know that I have search the Web in an effort to locate local Deaf gatherings and the only social groups are either way south or north. I can't find any group (not even those Starbuck ones) anywhere near me. What do you recommend I do?

Thanks again for your advice.

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interpreter

Yes!! Bring paper and a pen if you feel more comfortable.

You live in Miami?? I found a happening for you! Tues, March 4th!!

Silent Social Gathering Come one Come all (North Miami Beach, FL) - Meetup.com

shel90

Yea, it took me just about 5 years to become fluent in ASL.

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AquaBlue

Thanks but the problem is that North Miami Beach is just too far north for me to drive. I did access the website you posted and I signed up. I refused the meeting but left a message for those concerned to help me find local Deaf gatherings. I even said the same thing in my profile description. Let's see what happens...fingers-crossed.

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deafbajagal

I'm a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) - I noticed you said "aid to Deaf and Hoh"...Uh oh! That's treading on being pathological - why isn't it being an aide to hearing people as well since they are the ones who need the interpreters, too

Interpreters aren't there to "help" - they're there to bridge two people or groups of people between at least two different languages or two different communication modes... keep that in mind .

jillio

Very valid points, deafbajagal.

Anij

I'm not an interpreter - and I Know you only wanted interpreter responses regarding learning ASL (??? what about all us hoh/deaf that learned ASL as youth/adults?? we have alot of valuable info as well - but that's a different topic)

The reason I'm posting is to point out something you really need to consider - and I don't mean this to sound harsh but...

IF you really want to be an interpreter AND you are finding all the Deaf gatherings are "too far away" ... you have some choices to make.

A) Is learning ASL and interacting with the Deaf community important enough for you to drive an hour or 2, 1xmonth etc to attend social gathering - at least until you make connections with ASLers nearer to you???

B) IF you go through the whole process of becoming an interpreter ...what are you going to do about jobs that aren't in your backyard ????

I know HH/D that will drive hours to get to a gathering to socialize and catch up ... are you willing /able to do the same.

JMHO

AquaBlue

Thank you for your words Anij. The reason why I am unable to drive far is a little embarrassing. You see the junk car I drive (and it isn't even mine- I must borrow it) over heats if it stays running for too long. No cash for repairs (not that the car is worth any repairs) so I am stuck.

I have hope that by the time I become a Terp that my financial situation changes for the better. Then I can travel you see.

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AquaBlue

Question: But isn't a terp (of any language, manual or vocal) facilitating, aiding, the communicative process between a Deaf/HOH person and a hearie? Is that thinking wrong? If so, please explain why it is so. It sounds fine to me...it does not put either side- hearie or Deaf/HOH down does it??

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AquaBlue

I speak both English and Spanish. Some of my elderly relatives do not speak English well enough to communicate so they tell me (nine times out of ten), when they have an English-only guest, to please come close and help them in translation.

Now when I say help I do NOT mean it in the sense of aiding a handicap person- as if the Deaf/HOH are unworthy of living. The Deaf/HOH are not at all handicapped in my mind (and heart) so there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for me to express such thinking.

Maybe this misunderstanding rests in phrasing words, semantics, or a totally opposite angle on the word aid/help. May the word assist (assistance) be best in this case? By definition there is an extremely thin line between both pairs of words...they are synonyms practically.

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Anij

Actually Aqua.. The issue isn't the "aid" versus using an other word ...
The issue was one of exclusion
see it's about facilitating communication BETWEEN hoh/d AND hearing people - I know that might seem like semantics ... but it's not. Communication has to be equal - I'd hate to think my interpreters feel like they're "aiding (just) ME" ... it's about facilitating communication for BOTH equally.


I hope that makes sense.

AquaBlue

That's what I am saying. So what is the problem??

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RDC_girl

I have applied to the terp program for fall 2008... I have my screening weekend in april. Hope you dont mind if I join AquaBlue...

a few have said immerse yourself! they are right... I was good before I became friends with a guy who is Deaf... but after I met him and his friends it became easier to sign.. more natural. I currently work as a Teacher Assistant for my old ASL prof... OMG its amazing... I have been signing for about 3 years and am proficient! Almost Fluent lol The Deaf Club near my home has a night once a week that hearing people are welcome, they call it Handtalk... I have gone a few times... Its great to meet people

Good luck

Ariakkas

there is a mountain of difference between you interpreting for your grandmother, and being a professional interpreter.

first of...when you interpret for your grandmother, you are "helping". you filter the info and present the important parts to her. you prolly also help her make decisions in the process, such as helping her to understand a concept she may not have understood or possibly interjecting your own thoughts on the subject.

professional interpreters are not helping anyone to communicate, they are allowing communication to happen; a conduit for which communication takes place. same as your mouth and ears.

there is no filter of information, if someone doesn't understand something, it is their responsibility to ask the other person for clarification, not the interpreter. and a professional interpreter stays out of the conversation, period. your thoughts, i deas, feelings...are completely irrevelant.

good example being VRS for nigerian scams. we KNOW its a scam, we hear this all the time....but we can't tell the vp users that its a scam....and they could very well process a large transaction to africa through us.


if we were using a helper model for this above situation, we would certainly tell them that it was a huge scam and not to send thier money. but we are not the Deaf watchdogs, they make decisions for themselves.


your comment, infers that Deaf people need help to communicate with the rest of the world....they dont. Does a spanish interpreter only interpret for the spanish community? what would you need an interpreter for if both parties knew spanish? A spanish interpreter interprets for both the spanish community, and anyone who does not speak spanish.

the second you get it into your head that you are helping someone, you do not see them as equal, but beneath you. Not nessecarily is a "im better than you" kind of way, but as a "you need to be helped, i can help you" kind of way. and the second an interpreter sees things that way, they cease to be an effective interpreter.

AquaBlue

Understood Ariakkas. I'll adjust my thinking. A question for you Ariakkas: Are Deaf folks excessively sensitive to the assessments of the hearing folks?

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ASLGAL

d/Deaf and ASL and Interpreting appear (I hope I am wrong) to be a game for some - no names mentioned because they may just be new and excited but I am suspicious - d/Deaf and Interpreters/SSP's have a great time in life but usually are not so condescending toward the culture and it's members (d/Deaf or hearing)

Just an observation of many newer threads started lately.

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