Interpreters, what do clients do...

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JennyB

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that bothers, frustrates, annoys, etc. you? What do you appreciate from clients?

I checked and I don't think this is a re-post...sorry if it is!
 
Dozing off. I can't blame them though, sometimes the topic is really boring! And goodness knows I doze off when I'm using interpreters sometimes too...but it is kind of annoying for the interpreter because you're like "what am I here for?" ;)
 
Etoile said:
Dozing off. I can't blame them though, sometimes the topic is really boring! And goodness knows I doze off when I'm using interpreters sometimes too...but it is kind of annoying for the interpreter because you're like "what am I here for?" ;)
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The dozing client no longer bothers me. I continue interpreting because I'm "on the clock". That way, if the client wakes up, I'm just flowing along as though nothing happened. Also, if the hiring party is paying for my time, I deliver my services during that entire time. It also looks better to the hearing audience to not see the terp stop working or doing other stuff while a lecture is going on.

My exception to that would be if the deaf client physically and permanently leaves the room. I would then leave also.
 
I continue interpreting too, for the same reasons you do. I just find it vaguely annoying because I'm not getting any backchannel feedback, and because it's like "hello, I am talking to you, you are falling asleep!"

But like I said, when I use interpreters, I am guilty of the same things.
 
Etoile said:
I continue interpreting too, for the same reasons you do. I just find it vaguely annoying because I'm not getting any backchannel feedback, and because it's like "hello, I am talking to you, you are falling asleep!"
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Yes, I miss the feedback, too.

But like I said, when I use interpreters, I am guilty of the same things.
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What's worse is when I doze off while interpreting--now, THAT'S a boring lecture! (Only happened a couple times; somehow I kept interpreting but I know I was asleep.) :lol:
 
Reba said:
What's worse is when I doze off while interpreting--now, THAT'S a boring lecture! (Only happened a couple times; somehow I kept interpreting but I know I was asleep.) :lol:
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Oh my goodness, I thought that was just me! It's terribly embarrassing and I don't know how I manage to continue. I know exactly what you're talking about!
 
Etoile said:
Oh my goodness, I thought that was just me! It's terribly embarrassing and I don't know how I manage to continue. I know exactly what you're talking about!
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Just so you know, the deaf client can always tell when this happens :giggle:

I have NEVER fallen asleep on an interpreter before! I do if I don't have an interpreter LOL...wow...actually I heard a story from one of my interpreters the other day about a client falling asleep on her. Funny. :giggle:
 
JennyB said:
Just so you know, the deaf client can always tell when this happens :giggle:

I have NEVER fallen asleep on an interpreter before! I do if I don't have an interpreter LOL...wow...actually I heard a story from one of my interpreters the other day about a client falling asleep on her. Funny. :giggle:
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Oh, it happens. Some Deaf clients just get a glazed over look, and some actually bob their heads, snore, and drool. The most distracting Deaf client I had would get drowsy, and his eyes would roll up into his head so just the whites showed. Kinda creepy. :lol:
 
JennyB said:
Just so you know, the deaf client can always tell when this happens :giggle:

I have NEVER fallen asleep on an interpreter before! I do if I don't have an interpreter LOL...wow...actually I heard a story from one of my interpreters the other day about a client falling asleep on her. Funny. :giggle:
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Oh, I know the deaf client can tell! In fact I can tell too! I struggle really hard to stay awake when it happens. I would say it's happened maybe two or three times in my entire interpreting career, so it's not common, but it's definitely embarrassing when it does happen. :aw:

But yeah, like Reba said, some people fall completely asleep, not just nodding their head a little, but actually ASLEEP! :giggle:
 
Etoile said:
Oh, I know the deaf client can tell! In fact I can tell too! I struggle really hard to stay awake when it happens. I would say it's happened maybe two or three times in my entire interpreting career, so it's not common, but it's definitely embarrassing when it does happen. :aw:

But yeah, like Reba said, some people fall completely asleep, not just nodding their head a little, but actually ASLEEP! :giggle:
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As long as they don't fall out of their chairs, I'm OK. :P

Now, catching fainters and dodging client vomit, those can be a little annoying.:giggle:
 
LOL.

I've fallen asleep whist my interpreter(s) were interpreting a lecture... they just laugh at me and keep on interpreting. When I wake up, my interpreter(s) laughs at me, and say that I kept her amused whilst asleep. I was like WTF! She said that I looked so cute haha!
 
Reba said:
As long as they don't fall out of their chairs, I'm OK. :P

Now, catching fainters and dodging client vomit, those can be a little annoying.:giggle:
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Haha, I bet!

I feel kind of bad for my interpreters sometimes. At the start of a new term, the new interpreters that will be with me weekly for any given amount of time are given a tutorial on how to use my EpiPen and when to use my EpiPen. After they hear my list of situations that may possibly cause my death I can only imagine what they are thinking!

I am proud enough to say that no interpreter has had to use my EpiPen before! Just because I said that I am going to have a near death experience next week...:giggle:
 
shezzbeav said:
LOL.

I've fallen asleep whist my interpreter(s) were interpreting a lecture... they just laugh at me and keep on interpreting. When I wake up, my interpreter(s) laughs at me, and say that I kept her amused whilst asleep. I was like WTF! She said that I looked so cute haha!
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I think it is going to be the same thing for me when I attend in the lectures at uni next year :eek3:
 
I'll never forget the time I started dozing off on my tactile interpreter. I had been up late the night before studying for an exam and was *very* exhausted the next day. My interpreter tapped my hands every now and then to get my attention so I would wake up, but then I would close my eyes again. When someone uses tactile sign, it's very difficult to fall asleep given how physical in nature it is, so you can only imagine how tired I really was! The next time I had that interpreter, we shared a good laugh over what happened. LOL.
 
This is an interesting topic. :D I am studing to be an interpreter so it is good to know these things can happen.

Reba said:
Oh, it happens. Some Deaf clients just get a glazed over look, and some actually bob their heads, snore, and drool. The most distracting Deaf client I had would get drowsy, and his eyes would roll up into his head so just the whites showed. Kinda creepy. :lol:
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I am curious, is there a point you attempt to get their attention again? Or do you just let them be and focus on your interpreting? :hmm:
 
JennyB said:
Haha, I bet!

I feel kind of bad for my interpreters sometimes. At the start of a new term, the new interpreters that will be with me weekly for any given amount of time are given a tutorial on how to use my EpiPen and when to use my EpiPen. After they hear my list of situations that may possibly cause my death I can only imagine what they are thinking!

I am proud enough to say that no interpreter has had to use my EpiPen before! Just because I said that I am going to have a near death experience next week...:giggle:
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I also carry an EpiPen but I don't expect my interpreting clients to take care of my medical needs.

I'm surprised that your interpreters accept that responsibility.
 
Passionate4ASL said:
This is an interesting topic. :D I am studing to be an interpreter so it is good to know these things can happen.

I am curious, is there a point you attempt to get their attention again? Or do you just let them be and focus on your interpreting? :hmm:
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If the instructor wants to awaken the student, then it's the instructor's responsibility.
 
Reba said:
If the instructor wants to awaken the student, then it's the instructor's responsibility.
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Reba,

In my post above, I said that my tactile interpreter kept tapping my hands to wake me up (during a class lecture). Was that unprofessional of her to do?
 
Hear Again said:
Reba,

In my post above, I said that my tactile interpreter kept tapping my hands to wake me up (during a class lecture). Was that unprofessional of her to do?
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That depends on how you, the client, feel about it. That's something the two of you need to work out together. If you don't like it, let her know. If you find it helpful, let her know that also. It might be that she worked with a previous client who requested that "signal" be used.
 
Reba said:
That depends on how you, the client, feel about it. That's something the two of you need to work out together. If you don't like it, let her know. If you find it helpful, let her know that also. It might be that she worked with a previous client who requested that "signal" be used.
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Thanks for your reply Reba. I actually found it helpful, so the next time I have this interpreter (or any tactile interpreter), I will make this request.
 
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