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SW Iowa News - ON THE JOB: Interpreter for the deaf defines 'hands-on work'
Beth Townsend's hands are her livelihood.
As a sign language interpreter, she uses them to help bring information, comfort and sometimes tragedy to hundreds of metro area and southwest Iowa deaf people.
Townsend's hands sometimes move even as she speaks to people who can hear. She unconsciously signs right along with her words. She looks tired and says she is "caffienated," having spent much of the previous night at a hospital emergency room bridging the information gap between medical personnel and a deaf client.
But her big smile and enthusiasm confirm Townsend's words: "I absolutely love my job. I can't imagine anything better."
The day after her late E.R. experience, Townsend accompanied a client to a doctor appointment and stood in front of a college class, helping a deaf student "hear" the instructor's lessons. Part of her job satisfaction stems from an appreciation for those she serves.
"I have such a respect for them," she said. "I cannot imagine having someone in my personal business all the time."
And it can get very personal.
Sign language interpreters can be found at births and deaths. They might have to tell a client he has cancer or sign an arrested person her Miranda Rights. They bring good news and bad, using their hands to convey the message. From courtrooms to classrooms to job sites, interpreters go where they are needed. Sometimes it's fun; sometimes gut-wrenching.
"I love being there when a baby is born," Townsend said. "That is my favorite."
Funerals can bring tears to her eyes.
"It is my greatest privilege to be in their most private moments," she said.
Because of the job's personal nature, Townsend said it is critical to use certified interpreters. The state of Iowa also requires licensure.
"Confidentiality is critical when interpreting," she said. "The deaf community is pretty small, and if word gets out you have breeched confidentiality, you won't work again."
She said by using interpreters certified with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf a client is contracting with someone who has passed written and performance tests.
"We have a code of conduct and ethical standards," she said. "It's a way of ensuring professionalism."
To keep one's certification current, sign language interpreters must take continuing education classes on a regular basis, Townsend said. She just returned from a Des Moines class where she learned new medical terminology.
Townsend received her interpreter training at Iowa Western Community College 25 years ago.
"It is a wonderful program," she said. "Dick Hagen was the instructor, and I still keep in touch with him. I was his favorite student," she added with a hearty laugh.
In addition to utilizing professors who hear, IWCC's program also has a deaf instructor.
When she finished her training, Townsend interpreted for Metro Community College for 11 years and then went into private practice. She likes the variety of experiences private practice offers and said she keeps busy.
"There is a shortage of sign language interpreters in Iowa and on the national level," she said.
And that means sometimes being asked to work a pretty heavy schedule - being on call for a hospital or police emergency in between regular appointments.
"Most of us are booked two to three weeks in advance," she said.
Townsend said her husband jokes that she watches T.V., eats bon bons and goes out "and waves her arms around every day."
But interpreting is more than just putting words into sign language.
"It's not like you are just carrying on a conversation with a deaf person," she said. "You have to concentrate and make sure the deaf and hearing person are understanding what the other is saying. It can be very exhausting."
In addition to the mental strain, interpreters also have to protect themselves from carpal tunnel syndrome or hand/wrist strain. Their hands are their livelihood, so keeping them flexible is critical. Townsend said two interpreters often work together in classrooms or other lengthy encounters so that one's hands don't get worn out.
And, believe it or not, fashion also enters into the picture.
"I wear a dark-colored top to provide a solid background for my hands."
Townsend said hearing students often ask her to teach them phrases so they can talk to deaf classmates. She once had an eager teen ask how to sign a "dirty word."
"I told him to ask the deaf student," she said with a grin.
Deaf people have their own culture, and part of it is the language, Townsend said. She said the deaf have their own slang, and signs don't transfer to other countries.
"If a deaf person from a Spanish-speaking culture needed an interpreter I couldn't do it," she said. "They use different signs."
Sometimes the ability to sign comes in handy.
"It's great if you in a loud bar or restaurant and with someone else who signs," she said.
And she has used the skill with her own children.
"When they were little, they learned sit down and shut up, which I would use in church," she said.
And when her son left for college, she signed "I love you," as he was preparing to leave.
"It's hard to talk when you're bawling."
Beth Townsend's hands are her livelihood.
As a sign language interpreter, she uses them to help bring information, comfort and sometimes tragedy to hundreds of metro area and southwest Iowa deaf people.
Townsend's hands sometimes move even as she speaks to people who can hear. She unconsciously signs right along with her words. She looks tired and says she is "caffienated," having spent much of the previous night at a hospital emergency room bridging the information gap between medical personnel and a deaf client.
But her big smile and enthusiasm confirm Townsend's words: "I absolutely love my job. I can't imagine anything better."
The day after her late E.R. experience, Townsend accompanied a client to a doctor appointment and stood in front of a college class, helping a deaf student "hear" the instructor's lessons. Part of her job satisfaction stems from an appreciation for those she serves.
"I have such a respect for them," she said. "I cannot imagine having someone in my personal business all the time."
And it can get very personal.
Sign language interpreters can be found at births and deaths. They might have to tell a client he has cancer or sign an arrested person her Miranda Rights. They bring good news and bad, using their hands to convey the message. From courtrooms to classrooms to job sites, interpreters go where they are needed. Sometimes it's fun; sometimes gut-wrenching.
"I love being there when a baby is born," Townsend said. "That is my favorite."
Funerals can bring tears to her eyes.
"It is my greatest privilege to be in their most private moments," she said.
Because of the job's personal nature, Townsend said it is critical to use certified interpreters. The state of Iowa also requires licensure.
"Confidentiality is critical when interpreting," she said. "The deaf community is pretty small, and if word gets out you have breeched confidentiality, you won't work again."
She said by using interpreters certified with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf a client is contracting with someone who has passed written and performance tests.
"We have a code of conduct and ethical standards," she said. "It's a way of ensuring professionalism."
To keep one's certification current, sign language interpreters must take continuing education classes on a regular basis, Townsend said. She just returned from a Des Moines class where she learned new medical terminology.
Townsend received her interpreter training at Iowa Western Community College 25 years ago.
"It is a wonderful program," she said. "Dick Hagen was the instructor, and I still keep in touch with him. I was his favorite student," she added with a hearty laugh.
In addition to utilizing professors who hear, IWCC's program also has a deaf instructor.
When she finished her training, Townsend interpreted for Metro Community College for 11 years and then went into private practice. She likes the variety of experiences private practice offers and said she keeps busy.
"There is a shortage of sign language interpreters in Iowa and on the national level," she said.
And that means sometimes being asked to work a pretty heavy schedule - being on call for a hospital or police emergency in between regular appointments.
"Most of us are booked two to three weeks in advance," she said.
Townsend said her husband jokes that she watches T.V., eats bon bons and goes out "and waves her arms around every day."
But interpreting is more than just putting words into sign language.
"It's not like you are just carrying on a conversation with a deaf person," she said. "You have to concentrate and make sure the deaf and hearing person are understanding what the other is saying. It can be very exhausting."
In addition to the mental strain, interpreters also have to protect themselves from carpal tunnel syndrome or hand/wrist strain. Their hands are their livelihood, so keeping them flexible is critical. Townsend said two interpreters often work together in classrooms or other lengthy encounters so that one's hands don't get worn out.
And, believe it or not, fashion also enters into the picture.
"I wear a dark-colored top to provide a solid background for my hands."
Townsend said hearing students often ask her to teach them phrases so they can talk to deaf classmates. She once had an eager teen ask how to sign a "dirty word."
"I told him to ask the deaf student," she said with a grin.
Deaf people have their own culture, and part of it is the language, Townsend said. She said the deaf have their own slang, and signs don't transfer to other countries.
"If a deaf person from a Spanish-speaking culture needed an interpreter I couldn't do it," she said. "They use different signs."
Sometimes the ability to sign comes in handy.
"It's great if you in a loud bar or restaurant and with someone else who signs," she said.
And she has used the skill with her own children.
"When they were little, they learned sit down and shut up, which I would use in church," she said.
And when her son left for college, she signed "I love you," as he was preparing to leave.
"It's hard to talk when you're bawling."