Happy IAD !!
(I had not known such a day existed. I'm so out of it sometimes. )
If it's any comfort to you, we terps don't usually dwell on the sights, sounds, and scents of our assignments, or replay them in our reminiscence.I wrote this yesterday for the interpreters on my facebook. I would like to share here too because this is for all interpreters...
I wanted to take the time to talk about sign language interpreters. Speaking as a Deaf person who lives the hearing world through a filter of interpreters... this can be challenging, intrusive to our privacy, and downright humiliating. I often take it out on them as a result.
It pisses me off that I can be "educationally-challenged" without my interpreters. It pisses me off that an interpreter was there when I got arrested for drunkenly smashing through Reliant Stadium's gates. It pisses me off that they were there for my college fraternity initiation. It pisses me off that she was there when the doctor told me to turn my head and cough. It pisses me off that an outsider was there for my son's birth. It HYPER pisses me off that an interpreter often knows how much I make and what my bills are.
Despite these social challenges, interpreters are our link to the hearing world via VRS, on-site interpreting, and most of all... from using the advocacy spirit that often becomes ingrained in them. You all are more proactive and positive than I give credit for. Don't misconstrue my frustrations as un-appreciation... because simply put... without you, the world would not know who or what I am. You all make a difference. I'm dreading the day I get my first prostate exam... and I know you'll be there to walk me through it... and you just know I'm going to still be frustrated.
Thank you for doing this immensely difficult job. Happy interpreter appreciation day.
Again, to y'all. This is especially meaningful to me as I wind down my interpreting career and approach retirement.
While I was in the Navy, the only interpreting I did was at my church.How long have you been interpreting? You were in the Navy, right? Did you interpret while in the Navy?
If it's any comfort to you, we terps don't usually dwell on the sights, sounds, and scents of our assignments, or replay them in our reminiscence.
That doesn't mean we're insensitive to our deaf clients experiences but we understand that whatever is happening is your experience, not ours.
That also helps terps protect themselves from second-hand emotional trauma. It can be very wearing on the soul to not only attend more "bad news" medical appointments, work discipline hearings, AA meetings, funerals, and social services counseling than the average person does in a lifetime but to also have to keep all the normal emotions inside and not share any of those feelings. It's also a blessing to be present at weddings and births, promotion celebrations, and graduations but again, that is your life, not mine. We respect that.
I don't take any criticisms from deaf clients personally, unless it does have to do with the quality of my work. Then, I have to honestly appraise what I did. If there was a failure on my part, then I do what I can to repair it. If it's just the client lashing out for whatever reason, then I move on.
I totally understand when the client (deaf or hearing) does sometimes take out feelings on me. Once in a while I have to remind him or her not to shoot the messenger, and redirect attention to the appropriate party. And yes, sometimes even a curt, "Don't touch me" is in order.
So, as a terp, I'm sorry that I have to intrude on your private events but I'm also glad that I was able to be of service in making that event proceed more smoothly.
I knew one terp who had a Jag (gift from her hubby) but she never drove it to assignments. She rented plain cars for work because she thought the Jag might give the wrong impression....Best of all, maybe one of the interpreters will have a cool car and we'll talk about it before class. That is the best thing about signing up for an interpreter....