How do you handle unwanted advocacy?

Not sure that it has ever happened to me, but I rarely use interpreters.. and the rare interpreters I've had seemed pretty professional and were more concerned about conveying info to me to the best of their abilities.

However, if an interpreter made the unfortunate mistake of "speaking for me" without my consent, certain unmentionable bits are going to get hexed off. By the way, thanks, Malfoyish for the time-proven spell!

In other words, I would be extremely displeased by such a foolish action.... and send an owl to any agency, either state or private, employing this person.
 
Aw fencing is something i have always wanted to do, that and archary.
Anyway to the point i had a situation where i thought a woman was Deaf in front of me at the gas station. She never spoke and wrote everything down on a piece of paper and the cashier wrote everything back. There was a large miscommunication going on and both were frustrated, not with each other that was obvious, but at the lack of communication. I thought, I can help.... then i thought, 1. What if she is just foreign and her written English is better than her spoken. 2. What if she gets mad that i just jumped in, all savior of the south like. Then i thought what if there was a person who was having trouble and found out that i can hear and sign and could interpret for them when they needed but didn't. I was so conflicted. I did nothing and the situation was not resolved the lady just left the store with out buying anything. When you are stuck like i felt in that situation it isn't great. On the flip side of that NYE was spent with my Deaf friends and i and another guy were the only hearing out of about 30. late into the evening i was talking to a woman and this other woman interupted, (who i have spoken to before) and said "he is hearing, he can't understand you". I looked at her and asked why she said that, (especially since a few nights before this same Deaf woman thought i was Deaf as well). I was a bit taken a back and i felt every one was now looking at me. She said she meant that the other woman was going too fast. While she is right fast sign is hard for me to understand i still understood the other woman. If i don't understand i say so and ask the person to slow down. I told her i understood fine and she appologised for jumping in like that. I was mixed in my feelings. On the one hand i appreciated that she felt good enough about me that she wanted to look out for me and make sure i was fully involved in all conversations. On the other hand i felt singled out. But i decided to go with good intent and was happy about it.
 
In a case like this a long-time interpreter told me that she usually approaches the deaf person and instead of a) jumping in to interpret or b) asking if the deaf person needs an interpreter, asks the deaf person whether the hearing person needs help.

The only time I can think of that I would jump in to interpret without asking is in some sort of emergency. Generally my priority is not to behave in a patriarchal manner but if there were a life at stake I'd probably let that go.
 
Interpretrator said:
In a case like this a long-time interpreter told me that she usually approaches the deaf person and instead of a) jumping in to interpret or b) asking if the deaf person needs an interpreter, asks the deaf person whether the hearing person needs help.

The only time I can think of that I would jump in to interpret without asking is in some sort of emergency. Generally my priority is not to behave in a patriarchal manner but if there were a life at stake I'd probably let that go.
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Great solution.
 
Pardon my ignorance about the logistics of this kind of situation... but is there any way that - prior to the "assignment" starting - the interpretor and their client could go over ground rules, to determine what is expected and acceptable?

Or... if this is taking place in an informal setting - one where the client/provider relationship doesn't exist - couldn't the same kind of conversation take place?
 
InTheGenes said:
... but is there any way that - prior to the "assignment" starting - the interpretor and their client could go over ground rules, to determine what is expected and acceptable?
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That's the ideal but in the reality of my experiences it doesn't often happen that way. Normally, I (the terp) show up at least 15 minutes before an assignment. The Deaf client usually (95% of the time) shows up right at meeting time or later. The Hearing client starts the meeting/conference/training immediately on time. No time for introductions, sign negotiation, voicing preferences--nothing, nada, zip. With "repeat" clients that's not so bad a problem but for new clients that I've never met before, it can be very awkward.

Once in a while I'll show up late because of overlapping schedules. I hate that! I might be downtown and get a call to go to an assignment in another town 35 miles away. The meeting starts in 15 minutes. There is no way I can get there on time. Again, no time for introductions. If it's a group training or conference, I just have to plunge in; no starting over. It is bad for everyone.
 
I would tell them this is an "A" and "B" conversation so "C" your way out of it.
 
InTheGenes said:
Pardon my ignorance about the logistics of this kind of situation... but is there any way that - prior to the "assignment" starting - the interpretor and their client could go over ground rules, to determine what is expected and acceptable?
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Ideally, yes. But I'm not really talking about professional interpreted situations, because in those cases clients have recourse if the interpreter behaves unethically.

I just mean out in the world, where anyone can pretty much set up shop (literally or figuratively) and say "I represent you!" no matter how much you don't want them to.
 
Endymion said:
That was a good question. It made me think!

Kind of. It's like I say, "What's up, homes?" When I address one person. Though, admittedly, not in the professional environment. ;)

I think of it more like "homey" than "homies" -- that helps me.
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*Threadjacking*
(in Catalan, "homes" mean men... food for thought.)



==========

As for the unwanted interpretation-- if a person ALREADY spoke-- the damage's done and I will give that person some lecture *and if that person is certificated, i will put her/him on my unwanted list and might report if that perosn went too far*...
If I catch them interpreting for me (which I didn't wnat), I will ask "what are you doing? I am not talking to you so wy are you voicing?"

Some interps in past have said that "well, you were signing, so I just happen to voice for you-- as if you are talking in the class like some students, so it is only fair for the teacher to know that you are not paying attention." To that I reply:" then please interpet for me what the students are saying while the teacher is giving a lecture. I want to know what is the conversation while paying attention." That usually stopped many interperters from threatening to voice for me.
Plus my flying hands are big indicators enough that I am not paying attention to the class...! Some interps are just... disrespectful.
 
gnarlydorkette said:
Some interps in past have said that "well, you were signing, so I just happen to voice for you-- as if you are talking in the class like some students, so it is only fair for the teacher to know that you are not paying attention." To that I reply:" then please interpet for me what the students are saying while the teacher is giving a lecture. I want to know what is the conversation while paying attention." That usually stopped many interperters from threatening to voice for me.
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Do you mean there was more than one deaf person in the class and you guys were signing together? In a case like that I believe it's the part of the teacher to step in and say something, just as if it were hearing students talking during class and not paying attention. The thing is most teachers will ignore it because, I believe, they don't want to be seen as picking on the deaf students. I have seen teachers talk to the deaf students about it when it's been really disruptive to the class, though. Personally I find it disrespectful to the teacher when deaf students sign to each other using big gestures (as opposed to "whispering") all through the lecture, but since I work in the college setting, it's not my job to scold students.

If the student is constantly signing to ME, well, that's a different story.

However, this isn't "unwanted advocacy" because this interpreter isn't trying to help you, she's trying to punish you.
 
Interpretrator,

A little off the subject...

When someone "whispers" in sign, does this mean that they make small signs (use a small signing space) as opposed to large signs (large signing space)? Until you mentioned it, I've never heard of "whispering" in sign. :)
 
Hear Again said:
When someone "whispers" in sign, does this mean that they make small signs (use a small signing space) as opposed to large signs (large signing space)? Until you mentioned it, I've never heard of "whispering" in sign. :)
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Yeah, I don't know if that's a real term or not but it's how I refer to it. Using a small signing space, smaller movements, and more facial expressions (i.e. using the eyes to point rather than the hands) so that it's harder to see what's being said, or is less distracting, depending on the situation.
 
Now for real privacy...you need a dark room. Works everytime and nobody understands anything. Can't get better than that! :bump:
 
Southern said:
Aw fencing is something i have always wanted to do, that and archary.
Anyway to the point i had a situation where i thought a woman was Deaf in front of me at the gas station. She never spoke and wrote everything down on a piece of paper and the cashier wrote everything back. There was a large miscommunication going on and both were frustrated, not with each other that was obvious, but at the lack of communication. I thought, I can help.... then i thought, 1. What if she is just foreign and her written English is better than her spoken. 2. What if she gets mad that i just jumped in, all savior of the south like. Then i thought what if there was a person who was having trouble and found out that i can hear and sign and could interpret for them when they needed but didn't. I was so conflicted. I did nothing and the situation was not resolved the lady just left the store with out buying anything. When you are stuck like i felt in that situation it isn't great. On the flip side of that NYE was spent with my Deaf friends and i and another guy were the only hearing out of about 30. late into the evening i was talking to a woman and this other woman interupted, (who i have spoken to before) and said "he is hearing, he can't understand you". I looked at her and asked why she said that, (especially since a few nights before this same Deaf woman thought i was Deaf as well). I was a bit taken a back and i felt every one was now looking at me. She said she meant that the other woman was going too fast. While she is right fast sign is hard for me to understand i still understood the other woman. If i don't understand i say so and ask the person to slow down. I told her i understood fine and she appologised for jumping in like that. I was mixed in my feelings. On the one hand i appreciated that she felt good enough about me that she wanted to look out for me and make sure i was fully involved in all conversations. On the other hand i felt singled out. But i decided to go with good intent and was happy about it.
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Yea and I am sure it wont be the last time u will find yourself in situations like these. Just follow your instincts and if u are unsure of what to do..maybe ask the deaf person if they need help interpreting. Some will get offended and others will be grateful. Every person and situation are different but u can feel good about offering your assistance. Up to u. :)
 
Interpretrator said:
Yeah, I don't know if that's a real term or not but it's how I refer to it. Using a small signing space, smaller movements, and more facial expressions (i.e. using the eyes to point rather than the hands) so that it's harder to see what's being said, or is less distracting, depending on the situation.
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I've heard it called whispering too. Also both having their backs turned to the other people so no one can see their smaller signs, as well as standing shoulder to shoulder. I have seen that. Some people get mad when others do that. The eye movements are great!! I have always done that, got it from my mom we can tell each other to look at some one or get something with out saying a word. Both hearing. I have always tried that with other hearing people and they can't. But Deafies know exactly what i am talking about, it's great.
 
Interpretrator said:
Yeah, I don't know if that's a real term or not but it's how I refer to it. Using a small signing space, smaller movements, and more facial expressions (i.e. using the eyes to point rather than the hands) so that it's harder to see what's being said, or is less distracting, depending on the situation.
Click to expand...
Yes, I've referred to it as "whispering" or "discreet" signing.
 
if anyone tries to jump in and intepret I wud say no thank u... I think it's weird when anyone tries to help some1 out anyways.. but they are nice enuff to do what they are supposed to do but sometimes it's not nice to get invovled in anyone's business tho.. :)
 
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