Survey for Deaf People

[snoflkz]

Hello to all - first I would like to introduce myself. My name is Eryka Snow and I am currently an ITP student (Interpreter Training Program). I am taking a class entitled "Role of the Interpreter" at Cincinnati State in Ohio and we were asked to do an interview of deaf people to find out their views on interpreters. If anyone would like to participate, I would greatly appreciate it! The survey quesitons are listed below; you can answer them and post them to the forum or you can email them to me at edsnow@cincinnatistate.edu. Thank you very much for your participation!

SURVEY/INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: (if you don't think you know an answer, do as best as you can to come up with an answer or just don't answer that question at all! Thanks again!)

1. Do you think all interpreters are certified?

2. In your opinion, what are the normal requirements to enter the interpreting profession?

3. How would you describe a typical day for interpreters? (duties, stressors, predictability, etc.)

4. What aspects of using an interpreter do you like the most? The least?

5. What advice would you give to someone who is entering the field of interpreting?

6. Do you think interpreters belong to organizations or clubs? Which ones?

7. How often do you think interpreters attend seminars or workshops related to interpreting?

8. What places can you expect to see an interpreter?

9. What are the working conditions for an interpreter?

10. What kind of education is required to become an interpreter? Do they just have to know Deaf people or be CODAs, or do they have to go to school for it?

11. What do you think interpreters get paid?

12. What do you think interpreters enjoy about their jobs? What do you think they dislike about their jobs?

13. Do you think interpreters sometimes put their job before their family and friends? How often?

 

[VamPyroX]

1. Do you think all interpreters are certified?
No. I know they aren't all certified. I don't mind having a friend interpret for me for an event or something that's not 100% dependable. If it was something like what the game commentator was saying or something another hearing person was saying.

2. In your opinion, what are the normal requirements to enter the interpreting profession?
I think they should have some kind of understanding of deaf culture as well as communication methods.

3. How would you describe a typical day for interpreters? (duties, stressors, predictability, etc.)
I'd say that they would be running around all over the place in order to get to classes or offices where they're needed.

4. What aspects of using an interpreter do you like the most? The least?
I like the expressions they use to show emotions and voice tones. I also like it when they are friendly and ensure that they know who they are working with. Even though they are just interpreting for students, it would help if the interpreter knew the students' names as well as their preferences. Not everyone can understand specific poses that interpreters use and some have specific preferences on where the interpreter should sit. The more the interpreter knows the student, the easier things are between them. The least would be that some interpreters are too dull and boring. They have no emotions and expressions. They just sign what the teacher says and then stop. They don't know anyone's names. They're too damn boring.

5. What advice would you give to someone who is entering the field of interpreting?
Be yourself.

6. Do you think interpreters belong to organizations or clubs? Which ones?
We have an interpreting club here at NTID. I see nothing wrong with that.

7. How often do you think interpreters attend seminars or workshops related to interpreting?
Very often. I have friends who are interpreters and they tell me about these workshops and seminars that they attend to help them improve their skills and understanding. They also say that no matter how often they do it, it actually helps.

8. What places can you expect to see an interpreter?
Anywhere you find a deaf student in need of an interpreter.

9. What are the working conditions for an interpreter?
Nice and easy environment. It's a physical job and we wouldn't want to see them sweating and passing out on us, would we?

10. What kind of education is required to become an interpreter? Do they just have to know Deaf people or be CODAs, or do they have to go to school for it?
I think it's generally for anyone who take any specific certified program.

11. What do you think interpreters get paid?
At least $25 a hour?

12. What do you think interpreters enjoy about their jobs? What do you think they dislike about their jobs?
I think they would dislike students who are pricks and give them a hard time. Enjoy? There's a lot to enjoy. Just think positive.

13. Do you think interpreters sometimes put their job before their family and friends? How often?
I've seen it happen. I had an interpreter who put her kid's soccer game after me so she could interpret for me and a teacher one night.