Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)

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NightClever10

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Hello everyone. My friend was very interested in becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter in the future and I am sort of not understand about Certified Deaf Interpreter. So I'd be happy if anyone has explain to me about Certified Deaf Interpreter, thanks! Now tell me what is your thoughts about Certified Deaf Interpreter...ready...set...go! :ty:
 
When I attended my first AADB (American Association of the Deaf-Blind) convention one of my terps was Deaf. He communicated to me tactually by watching a plaform terp and copying their signs.
 
typeingtornado19 said:
that sucks big time.
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yeah, it did s*ck because i missed out on the opportunity to participate in a workshop that really interested me. i was learning asl at the time and could barely understand what he was signing. heck, i was lucky if i had 10% comprehension. lol.
 
Typically a CDI is an interpreter that has explicit knowledge of ASL as well as another sign language or mode of communication. For example, one working in the US might be proficient in both ASL and PSE.

Many interpreters use PSE when they go on assignment, and many Deaf have difficulty understanding the PSE. A CDI will tag along and read the PSE sign and translate it into ASL.

A CDI is used for all sorts of different situations, but I have mostly heard of one being used in mental health cases (ie: intake assessments at the hospital) where a misunderstanding between the Deaf client and interpreter could have exceedingly grave consequences.
 
OpheliaSpeaks said:
A CDI is used for all sorts of different situations, but I have mostly heard of one being used in mental health cases (ie: intake assessments at the hospital) where a misunderstanding between the Deaf client and interpreter could have exceedingly grave consequences.
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Yes, I've heard of this as well.
 
OpheliaSpeaks said:
Typically a CDI is an interpreter that has explicit knowledge of ASL as well as another sign language or mode of communication. For example, one working in the US might be proficient in both ASL and PSE.

Many interpreters use PSE when they go on assignment, and many Deaf have difficulty understanding the PSE. A CDI will tag along and read the PSE sign and translate it into ASL.

A CDI is used for all sorts of different situations, but I have mostly heard of one being used in mental health cases (ie: intake assessments at the hospital) where a misunderstanding between the Deaf client and interpreter could have exceedingly grave consequences.
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That is where I am familiar with CDIs being used. It is imperative that cultural context be considered in the communication on an intake assessment. Sometimes, interpretation is not enough, and the meaning needs to be explained from a cultural context, especially with a client that is very ASL based. For example, exaggerated facial expression or a very physical signing style could be misinterpreted as a sign of mania rather than a cultural difference in communication mode. CDIs are a very valuable part of the assessment team. Quite often they are used in conjunction with a hearing terp that does the voice to sign interpretation. The CDI interprets the client communication, and then the hearing terp does a sign to voice interpretation of that.
 
jillio said:
That is where I am familiar with CDIs being used. It is imperative that cultural context be considered in the communication on an intake assessment. Sometimes, interpretation is not enough, and the meaning needs to be explained from a cultural context, especially with a client that is very ASL based. For example, exaggerated facial expression or a very physical signing style could be misinterpreted as a sign of mania rather than a cultural difference in communication mode. CDIs are a very valuable part of the assessment team. Quite often they are used in conjunction with a hearing terp that does the voice to sign interpretation. The CDI interprets the client communication, and then the hearing terp does a sign to voice interpretation of that.
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Jillio,

You know, I never thought about the fact that exaggerated facial expression or a very physical signing style could be interpreted as mania, but it makes perfect sense.
 
Hear Again said:
Jillio,

You know, I never thought about the fact that exaggerated facial expression or a very physical signing style could be interpreted as mania, but it makes perfect sense.
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It, unfortunately, has resulted in mis-diagnosis in the past. Thank heaven we are beginning to be more culturally aware in the diagnostic procedures.
 
jillio said:
It, unfortunately, has resulted in mis-diagnosis in the past. Thank heaven we are beginning to be more culturally aware in the diagnostic procedures.
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True.

Off-topic,

What happens if a non-Bipolar patient receives a mood stabilizer and/or antipsychotic? Are there any detrimental effects?
 
Hear Again said:
True.

Off-topic,

What happens if a non-Bipolar patient receives a mood stabilizer and/or antipsychotic? Are there any detrimental effects?
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It can, in some cases, create symptoms of a mental disorder.
 
jillio said:
It can, in some cases, create symptoms of a mental disorder.
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on the bipolar message boards i participate on, almost everyone says there would be no detrimental effects if a non-bipolar person received mood stabilizers and/or antipsychotics. now i know differently. thanks for the clarification, jillio.
 
CDI's also play an important role in legal settings, for the same reason they are used in mental health settings. They are often called upon to interpret home signs, signs of someone with a disability, and even gestures made by people who don't have any language training at all.

And don't forget translation between foreign signs and ASL!
 
A Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing and has been certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf as an interpreter.


As a team member

Often a Certified Deaf Interpreter works as a team member with a certified interpreter who is hearing. In some situations, a CDI/hearing interpreter team can communicate more effectively than a hearing interpreter alone or a team of two hearing interpreters or a CDI alone. In the CDI/hearing interpreter team situation, the CDI transmits message content between a deaf consumer and a hearing interpreter; the hearing interpreter transmits message content between the CDI and a hearing consumer. While this process resembles a message relay, it is more than that. Each interpreter receives the message in one communication mode (or language), processes it linguistically and culturally, then passes it on in the appropriate communication mode. In even more challenging situations, the CDI and hearing interpreter may work together to understand a deaf individual's message, confer with each other to arrive at their best interpretation, then convey that interpretation to the hearing party.

Solo

The CDI sometimes works as the sole interpreter in a situation. In these instances, the CDI may use sign language or other communication modes that are effective with a particular deaf individual; and may use, with the hearing consumer, a combination of speech, speech reading, residual hearing, and written communication.

http://www.rid.org/UserFiles/File/pdfs/120.pdf
 
I once interpreter for an US person in class at Gallaudet. it was really hard work since one got to watch what the prof was signing, not like a terp hearing and then interpret.
 
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