For INTERPRETERS: A Wishlist

[javapride]

I get the "over here" thing a lot, too. Both my hearing AND deaf clients are guilty of it, actually - they'll be referring to a piece of paper and point to a line, and an accurate interpretation would require me to say what's ON that line, but instead I just have to say "this" because I have no idea what they're pointing at. That happens a lot in educational-type interpreting (including training) because the teacher will frequently point at something on the board and say "this" and I have to whip my head around and try to figure out what they were pointing at three seconds ago, because they're not pointing at it anymore.

Oh, and something that really annoys the heck out of me is when a client tries to tell me how to do my job. I really hate that, because it's disrespectful. I am a fully-qualified professional, I do this every day, this is my JOB. I know how to do my job better than a non-interpreter (deaf or hearing) knows how to do my job.

Something else deaf clients do that gets on my nerves is lipreading me. If they don't see me saying exactly the word they expected at exactly when they thought I would be saying it, they will stop and wait for me to "get it right." Frequently I am just having lag time, or using a word other than what they think I should maybe be using. Stopping and waiting for me to "get it right" disrupts the flow of my interpreting and it sounds funny to the hearing client. If you are lipreading me and I seem to be getting the whole thing wrong, then maybe stop and ask me about it, but something little like word choice should just be left alone - once again, let me do my job! If I don't understand, I will say something.

i beg to differ its not you that needs to get the job done, its you that needs to respect the clients wishes, first off, old adage customer's always right, 2nd off think twice maybe they want word for word encoding and less lag time, so maybe next time before starting an assignment find out if they perfer translating or interpeting? this way u can do your job better and the customer going home happy, dont put us down for saying these things if we know they said this and its other word comes out different throws us deafies who are HOH and can read lips wrong, u can bet you will be stopped prepare urself next time work with each other so you and the client won't feel hurt! and u both go home happy!

 

[ismi]

That's got to be a universal complaint for interpreters. I try to inform the hearing client but if it continues, I usually tell the deaf client what's going on and then simply sign "ASK-HIM" etc. (little bit of the machine model there on purpose). Sometimes the deaf client will speak up for herself at this point, which usually puts an end to the "misunderstanding." I wish this would happen more often.

I use CART at college, and this is something I run into all the time. It especially drives me nuts because I can hear well enough to recognize when it happens, but as a student, I'm not always in a position to complain about it (i.e., I don't want to piss off the TA who's grading my exam). It really makes me wonder what the TA/prof is thinking, especially when I don't always use CART with that TA/prof ...

 

[Interpretrator]

I get the "over here" thing a lot, too. Both my hearing AND deaf clients are guilty of it, actually - they'll be referring to a piece of paper and point to a line, and an accurate interpretation would require me to say what's ON that line, but instead I just have to say "this" because I have no idea what they're pointing at.

I'm not sure I agree it's a "guilty" thing, at least not for me. I feel it's just one of those difficulties common to interpreters. I get this a lot in art and computer classes where the teacher will be referring to something on a screen or an easel they are showing the class. I'm not sure it's fair to ask the teacher to change his teaching style -- which is totally natural for those types of classes -- just because of the deaf student(s). Usually at this point when I hear "go here" or "look at this" I automatically just sign "SEE..." and point to whatever the teacher is indicating. (This is assuming I don't have a good view of it myself, which is usually the case; if I CAN see it, I'll try to be more specific.) Those classes always end up being a little awkward just by their nature but I don't think I'd ask the teacher to do anything differently. Generally I check in to see if the student wants to change the setup to make things easier.

It especially drives me nuts because I can hear well enough to recognize when it happens, but as a student, I'm not always in a position to complain about it (i.e., I don't want to piss off the TA who's grading my exam).

Interesting, I never thought of it that way. In my experience when the student speaks up for herself the teacher has always been fine with it (sometimes a ilttle taken aback)...and the teacher often remembers better if the student tells them than if I do. But I could totally see where a student might be nervous about speaking up for the reason that you mention or similar reasons. Like that teacher who got me replaced because I was being professionally appropriate. I could imagine that teacher being a jerk about that kind of thing even if the student was nice about it.

I feel a little better about not encouraging the deaf client to say something -- like I have seen some interpreters do...not just encourage but insist, sometimes! -- but just do my best to clear it up for both parties and let the deaf client make her own decision. I know some interpreters who would suggest it's better to push their clients more but I tend to be more "live and let live," just as long as everyone is informed.

 

[Etoile]

i beg to differ its not you that needs to get the job done, its you that needs to respect the clients wishes, first off, old adage customer's always right, 2nd off think twice maybe they want word for word encoding and less lag time, so maybe next time before starting an assignment find out if they perfer translating or interpeting? this way u can do your job better and the customer going home happy, dont put us down for saying these things if we know they said this and its other word comes out different throws us deafies who are HOH and can read lips wrong, u can bet you will be stopped prepare urself next time work with each other so you and the client won't feel hurt! and u both go home happy!

I think you misunderstood me. I'm not referring to things like language preference at all - yes, of course we find out those things beforehand. Please understand that I do respect the client's wishes about things that involve their preference. Respecting the client's wishes, and being told how to do my job, are two totally different things.

 

[Etoile]

I'm not sure I agree it's a "guilty" thing, at least not for me. I feel it's just one of those difficulties common to interpreters. I get this a lot in art and computer classes where the teacher will be referring to something on a screen or an easel they are showing the class. I'm not sure it's fair to ask the teacher to change his teaching style -- which is totally natural for those types of classes -- just because of the deaf student(s). Usually at this point when I hear "go here" or "look at this" I automatically just sign "SEE..." and point to whatever the teacher is indicating. (This is assuming I don't have a good view of it myself, which is usually the case; if I CAN see it, I'll try to be more specific.) Those classes always end up being a little awkward just by their nature but I don't think I'd ask the teacher to do anything differently. Generally I check in to see if the student wants to change the setup to make things easier.

Oh yes, I didn't mean it as "guilty" in a bad way! It's just part of the interpreting experience, absolutely. However I do think it's something both deaf and hearing clients can try to keep in mind - remember to explain what you're pointing to. As was mentioned in the original post, it's just one of those pet peeves that can be easily fixed if people know about it, so that's why I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[Reba]

My boss (not at my current job) kicked me out of a class after a teacher complained about me because I wouldn't answer those kinds of questions. I use the standard "I'm sorry, I really don't know the answer to that, but I'd be happy to interpret for you if you want to ask the student" -- and of course VERY politely since the teacher usually just doesn't know any better -- but apparently this teacher took it as a personal affront. Nice, huh?

Grrrrr!

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I had a teacher ask me to stay after class so I could educate her about how best to use an interpreter in the classroom. ...

Those are too few, but they are gems when you find one. :P

 

[Reba]

... Frequently I am just having lag time....

Oh, yes, lag time--thanks for reminding me.

Some Deaf clients expect to see my hands the split second the hearing person opens his mouth. They just don't understand "lag time". I have to wait until I hear the whole sentence to get a concept, especially with some speakers who prefice everything with "fillers" (hemming and hawing) and off-point clauses before they begin to "say" something. "WHAT-HE-SAY?" "WHAT-HE-SAY?" "WHAT-HE-SAY?" OK. He said, "Ummmm, it's just, no wait a minute, where is...., hmm, OK, now, I think it was before, no about that time that the first, or was it second....anyway, it's in your book, chapter 7, page 456, no page 457, no maybe it's not there after all; oh, well."

Yes, there are some consumers who want everything verbatim, and they want it NOW!

 

[Reba]

I'm not sure I agree it's a "guilty" thing, at least not for me. I feel it's just one of those difficulties common to interpreters. I get this a lot in art and computer classes where the teacher will be referring to something on a screen or an easel they are showing the class....

Yeah, those classes can make you dizzy, trying to do the "tennis spectator" thing with your head and neck.

Some of our classes are using computer monitors and large screens instead of blackboards or dry marker boards. It's great! The students can watch the large monitor or pull down screen at the front of the room, and I can glance at the instructor's monitor, or one of the other peripheral monitors, without moving my head. I can follow everything that's going on. I just wish all the classes were set up that way.

The monitors are really cool. The instructor can actually write and draw on it just like a board, and can show all the Power Point outlines, diagrams, and slides. Students also have the option for using Power Point in their presentations.

 

[LinuxGold]

LOL! It's the same with my own interpreter, She blew up at the doctor three times after repeatedly telling the doctor to look directly at me while she is speaking, not to the interpreter and not asking the interpreter "to ask her if she...." My interpreter also stated to pretend she doesn't even exit, that She (herself) is not here. It helps the doctor understands what my interpreter is trying to say. My doctor finally got the drift after the third time charm.

Hmm.. sometimes interpreter stood behind a speaker so that speaker can look at me directly, thus putting interpreter out of that speaker's mind. That might help? First before you do that, explain to the speaker that deaf client is the one that they speak to and to treat that person (deaf client) as if you (as interpreter) do not exist.

 

[Reba]

Hmm.. sometimes interpreter stood behind a speaker so that speaker can look at me directly, thus putting interpreter out of that speaker's mind. That might help? First before you do that, explain to the speaker that deaf client is the one that they speak to and to treat that person (deaf client) as if you (as interpreter) do not exist.

Sometimes we are stuck in very small spaces, so we position ourselves the best we can.

I have even been in situations where I did position myself "behind" the speaker, and the speaker would actually turn his head to face me each time! Or the speaker would say, "Can you please move to where I can see you?" Of course, I sweetly say, "I need to position myself so the Deaf client can see me."

 

[Interpretrator]

Yes, there are some consumers who want everything verbatim, and they want it NOW!

That is a really good one! (And here I thought I had only one universal complaint...ha ha.) This is definitely on both hearing and deaf. I can understand it more from the deaf point of view, because someone can talk for a relatively long amount of time (as in Reba's great example) without saying ANYTHING. But hearing people should be able to SEE that I've only made, say, two signs before they get up to leave, assuming everything has been interpreted and understood.

Here's something else this train of thought led me to. Sometimes I think deaf clients need to use more obvious "I understand" body language and/or interact with the hearing client more directly. Example (a composite of course): a teacher comes over to explain something directly to a deaf student in a computer course. It's a fairly long explanation and the teacher is either intimidated or educated enough to give me all the time I need to sign the explanation. The student gets it and nods slightly. I know the student well enough to know this can be interpreted as "yes, I understand, thanks." The teacher stands there for a second, feeling a mismatch between the student's response and my interpretation.

I think this goes along with the students who direct questions at me when they really mean to ask the teacher (different from the ones who ASK me questions). Because some students will look at the teacher, nod, smile, thumbs-up, all those indicators that the information has been processed. I don't think hearing people are comfortable with more subtle forms of expression and probably don't believe the student has really understood.

 

[Interpretrator]

And while I'm here...

Here's another one for hearing people: trusting the interpreter to do her job. I was in a class where the teacher had never worked with deaf students and interpreters before and I must say did do a pretty good job trying to adapt to what ended up being an awkward class set-up. Now it so happened that there were a mix of deaf students in the class, some who really didn't care about the class and others who had some processing problems. For both reasons, they rarely got their assignments right or on time.

The teacher then, without asking the students about this, jumped to the assumption that my team and I must not be interpreting right. She asked us to say exactly what she said...in English...while we were interpreting into ASL. So she could hear her vocabulary. Now this teacher doesn't know anything about setting up vocabulary words in sign, or about the major limitations of sim-com, or the total impossibility of speaking in English and signing in ASL at the same time, or any of these technical things, which we now had to stay after class and work out with her so that she understood why this was flat-out impossible.

But the more important part of it, which we couldn't really come out and say politely, is that this teacher just didn't trust that we were doing our jobs. Any failing on the part of the students had to be because of the interpretation. This was pretty insulting on several levels as you can imagine, especially when I had one of the same students in another class and the teacher went right to HIM to ask why his assignments weren't on time, etc.

Similar things have happened in smaller ways ("how did you interpret what I just said?" What am I supposed to do...show her the signs??) but this was the worst example. And honestly the teacher meant well, but it remains a pet peeve.

 

[ayala920]

This may just happen with me because of the situation in which I work (a treatment facility for mostly high school aged kids), but I get blamed by the students a lot when they screw up. For example, they'll claim not to have known they had a test or assignment due, and one student actually blamed me when he forgot his paper, telling the teacher he'd given it to me to hand in for him!

Luckily for me, the teachers I work with are pretty bright and don't buy it. It also helps when there are other deaf students in the class saying, "What are you talking about? She said that twice yesterday!" Makes me feel a little better.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Good thread here.

I am glad to have interpreters around here to share their posts here with us...

Now I have a question for you all.

We ordered an Interpreter via Agency to interpret for us at kindergarten that's time Alan was 3 years old. She interpreted the communicate between my hubby and me and 2 supersivors. During meeting, 2 supersivors both stopped and discussed something each other. I noticed that Interpreter sat and listen 2 supersivors "discussed" something and did not interpret us. I asked her why she didn't interpret for us what they discussed about. She answered that it's not her obliagtion to interpet us because they both talked each other, not to us directly. I was like and stopped 2 supersivors immediately and told them that it's not fair because we can't hear what they talked about. Supersivors apologized us and told us that they thought Interpreter would do it for us because it's open talk during meeting. Interpreter explained them that it's not her obligation to interpret us when 2 persons talked each other instead of talk to us directly... huh? I can see from Supersivor's impression that they was like huh? and accepted to repeat their discussion to us directly for an Interpreter to interpret us.

After conversation over, I told Interpreter that she is paid to interpret for us because she can hear. We have the right to know what they talk about during meeting. She choose to ingore us and walk away. Few hours after that, we reported Agency with complaint about her. Unfortunlately, Agency gave her right. I told them that it's not normal because interpreters are paid to hear and interpret for us during meeting. I told them that it's new to me after many years with different interpreters. Agency said that they can understand and can't do anything against rule but it's nice of interpreters to make voluntarily to interpret for us. I asked them to cancel her name in our list. Agency respect our wish without ask us further question.

I befriend with few of interpeters, they strict to separate their duty as interpreter and private person. Of course I asked them question about this situation. I was like when they explained what Agency and Interpreter said is correct accord interpret rule but they would not do that to deafies because they feel it's unfair because they can hear, deafies can't hear. It's their voluntarily to interpret us what 2 people discussed each other during meeting. I told them that I disagree to this because I "pay" them to interpret for me..., not for them. *sigh*

We order other interpreters... Supersivors feel good that Interpreter can interpet anything what they talked about, no matter either they talk to us direct or not.



Would you do nothing but listen their discussion until they agree then talk to us? It's just my curious question.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Forgot to add...I noticed when deafies who acts like they are Deaf Power...they have an attitude towards an interpreters to follow strict rules otherwise interpreters will get fired...I think deafies need to chill out!

For instance: Deafies tend to force an interpreter to stand up in classes at college or something that isnt really necessarily for interpreter to stand up the entire time...

*goose bump*

I am very flexiable and understanding person...I dont force interpreter to stand up entire time...I always make sure interpreter to feel comfortable and relax..instead of commanding them to do this or that..

Me either... Make sure interpreter feel comfortable... I alway asked my interpreter: "What you can make what you feel comfortable and hear better... near lecturer or whatever"... Interpreter pick what she feel comfortable and then interpret me. Its about show respect each other.

For instance: Deafies get mad when interpreter arrives late for the meeting or whatever...these deafies needs to relax and chill out!

I understand competely that when interpreter arrives late is because of traffic, or not finish interpreting at other places that causes them to delay...that is very understandable...I dont complain those things...

I see no problem if they informed me thru mobile phone why they come late...

My interpreter sometimes arrive late like 20 or 30 mins late at my doctor's appointment or whatever...I am flexiable about it...

Well, I informed my interpreter few days before appointment, to come by spot time when there're big and important meeting. They tried their best to make their time spot which good.

I show grateful that we have interpreters here in this world...why complain? Just be thankful that interpreters have great heart to be our interpreters!

Yes I second that.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Cancelled appointments. Here's the other side of the picture.

Terp shows up at least 15 minutes early for appointment, regardless of horrible weather and traffic conditions. No Deaf client. After another 30 minutes, the doctor's receptionist asks terp, "where's Miss XYZ?" Terp doesn't know. Receptionist calls Deaf patient. Deaf patient says, "Oh, it's too cold out today. I decided to stay home. Reschedule me for next week. Bye."

Yes, I know Deaf clients have emergencies, too, and sometimes they can't contact the terp or the hearing client. But there are times . . . .

wow, I would like to ask you question...

Who cover the cost of your loss when she/he cancel the appointment in last minute for no reason? She/He or Agency?

Agency for interpret rule here in Germany.

We are obligate to cancel our appointment within 24 hours before appointment. If we cancel like what you mentioned... we have to pay interpreter cost for loss by our pocket money, not Agency... But with emergencies is a different story.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

I have no problem to chat with any interpreters during waiting room... something like that...

how you learn to sign, married, children, holiday, etc... in general way....


Before or After appointment, we went to cafe and have chat when we have time... *strug*

 

[LinuxGold]

I think I know few wish list that Interpreters would *LOVE* to have, something that they will *NEVER* get. Transparency to the hearing people providing voice, perfect and illustrative visual aid without any mistake, custom made for that specific deaf client and show differently to each deaf client according to their reception levels. And become a "visual aid tool only" to deaf client(s) in a way that they can't ask questions to visual aid tools without talking to the targeted audience.

Now with these "impossible" wishlist abeforementioned, is there a way that we can "optimize" as close as possible to these "impossibles"?

Preparation (repeat if you have to, I know it's pain in the butt, but to save your time in later time):
1.) Coach to the hearing person before interview, classes and so on that *YOU* are transparent and that *YOU* are NOT responsible for deaf client actions. ALL communications *WILL* be directed to that deaf client and NOT to expect any answer from an interpreter by themselves. Give them an example "Do you expect an answer from air?" If deaf client happen to meet different hearing person and that hearing person talks to you concerning deaf client, just don't tell him "You have to talk to that person" just immediately interpret to that deaf client. I LOVE it when an interpreter do that, makes me show my true color. "Tell him who? *looks around* who are you talking about?" (If first timer I would go as this) "heh, sorry, I was kidding. Just talk to ME directly as if I'm hearing." If that person presist few times, then I would say "Him who?"

2.) "It is wise to study one's adversary" I'm sure you all already had this experience, analyze one's level(s) and to adapt. If more than one deaf client is in present and their levels are incompatible to each other (i.e. English buff and ASL only without grammar knowledge) then what is the soluiton to this scenario?

3.) Becoming visual aid to deaf client(s), instruct them the same way you did to hearing person. "Do you ask air to review what went on for you?" or something like that.

 

[LinuxGold]

Oh, yes, lag time--thanks for reminding me.

Some Deaf clients expect to see my hands the split second the hearing person opens his mouth. They just don't understand "lag time". I have to wait until I hear the whole sentence to get a concept, especially with some speakers who prefice everything with "fillers" (hemming and hawing) and off-point clauses before they begin to "say" something. "WHAT-HE-SAY?" "WHAT-HE-SAY?" "WHAT-HE-SAY?" OK. He said, "Ummmm, it's just, no wait a minute, where is...., hmm, OK, now, I think it was before, no about that time that the first, or was it second....anyway, it's in your book, chapter 7, page 456, no page 457, no maybe it's not there after all; oh, well."

Yes, there are some consumers who want everything verbatim, and they want it NOW!

This might be a good illustration: SR-71 spy plane.

SR-71 is the stealthy, black and fast spy jet used by military to take snapshots over strategic points. Imagine this, SR-71 flying overhead and you can see it flying by so fast, but you can't hear it *yet*. After few seconds later, you start to hear or feel sonic boom. You can't expect to feel sonic boom immediately after you saw it flying by. The true is the same with sound to visual transition. You are the "sonic boom" and speaker is the "jet" that deaf client see.

 

[Etoile]

Would you do nothing but listen their discussion until they agree then talk to us? It's just my curious question.

Oh my god, no! That interpreter was totally inappropriate. Even if somebody is having a private conversation - if the supervisors are whispering and clearly trying to have something in private - if I can hear it, I will interpret it. Sometimes the deaf client can see they are whispering, but I can't hear it, and they will ask me what they're saying. Then I will just say "they are whispering and I can't hear, it must be something private between the two of them." But if I can hear it, I will interpret it. Of course if I can't hear and it is something being addressed to the deaf client, then I will ask them to speak up. But private conversations that I can't hear are...well, they are private!

But I think that interpreter you had was completely wrong in not interpreting what the supervisors said to each other.