WORKING WITH A SIGN

L A N G UA G E I N T E R P R E T E R
ADET:616
Regis University
Roxann New

OVERVIEW
Students will learn:

Who uses an interpreter

What an interpreter does
When to use one
Where the interpreter should be
Why they are important
How to work with one

WHO
All hearing participants and speakers
All d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing persons
Lowercase deaf=general descriptor of a person with
a hearing loss
Uppercase Deaf= cultural identity, or I did not lose
anything
Hard of Hearing= those who do not hear at the
same level as a hearing person but does not identify
as d/Deaf

WHAT
Interpreters
Interpret between languages
Follow ethics (confidentiality, honor cultures, follow
the law, be professional, and courteous)
Mediate between cultures

THE TENETS ARE

1.Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential
communication.
2.Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge
required for the specific interpreting situation.
3.Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to
the specific interpreting situation.
4.Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
5.Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns,
and students of the profession.
6.Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
7.Interpreters engage in professional development.

WHEN
It is important to use an interpreter every time
important information is shared

Classrooms
Doctors office
Tax/accounting
Meetings
Weddings/major events
Anytime!

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLES

WHERE
Interpreters should be in the front of the class, or
near the speaker
In the case of a d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing speaker,
interpreter should be facing the speaker near the
front or in eyeshot of the speaker.
The interpreter may need to move, and if there are
two interpreters, they will switch position with one
another

WHY
Skilled, qualified (certified) interpreters should be
utilized at all times.
There have been issues of mistreatment as a result
of misunderstanding
Family members or friends are never the go to

HOW
If possible, get all materials to the
interpreter/agency as early as possible
Talk directly to the d/Deaf or HOH person, not the
interpreter

HOW
Do not talk down to the d/Deaf or HOH person
Dont engage or play off of the interpreter

CLASSROOM TIPS
Write important words, dates, etc. on the board
Avoid moving around the room too much
You can walk right through signing space-no
ducking

CLASSROOM TIPS
d/D/HOH students usually need extra time
Make sure videos are captioned (check for
accuracy)

DISCUSSION
Please feel free to ask questions, share
experiences, make connections

Q&A
Why do we need interpreters?

Q&A
For accessibility
To communicate
To avoid misunderstandings

Q&A
Who should be contacted for interpreting?

Q&A
The venue is always responsible for providing
services
Use a certified interpreter (you can ask for their
credentials)
Never use someone who intimately knows the
d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing person- familiarity cannot
be avoided, but family or close friends shouldnt be
in the interpreting position

Q&A
What does an interpreter do?

Q&A
Culturally mediates
Interprets
Is professional/confidential/follows ethics and laws

Q&A
When do we need an interpreter

Q&A
When the d/Deaf or HOH person says they need
one
When important information is being discussed
For training
For meetings
Major gatherings/events

CLOSING REMARKS
CHALLENGE!!!!!!
When on your own, you can play interpreter to
become comfortable with the process
Get two friends, one is the interpreter, one is the deaf
person, relay the message to the deaf person without
acknowledging the interpreter
Take turns!

A VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-209DSaW9g

THANK YOU!
Questions?
Comments?
Feedback?

RESOURCES
http
://deafness.about.com/cs/culturefeatures1/a/bigdorsmalld.
htm
http://deafness.about.com/od/deafheritage/a/deafhood.htm
https://dso.dasa.ncsu.edu/planning-college-events-for-peop
le-who-are-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing/
https://nad.org/issues/education/higher-education/state-andlocal-colleges-and-universities
http://www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm
http://
www.huffingtonpost.com/lydia-l-callis/working-with-a-sign
-langu_1_b_5909288.html
http://rid.org/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct/
http://www.csd.org/news/to-have-or-not-to-have-this-is-thequestion
/
http://www.terptopics.com/TeachersAsk.htm