interpreting situation... help!

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Southern

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I have been progressing in my signing and have gotten to the point where I can sort of interpret. Communicating with my Deaf friends is no problem, but chatting with your friends and interpreting are completely different. The other night my friend and I were out and he struck up a conversation with a hearing person. He wanted both of us to talk to this person because he felt the person was lonely. Well I did pretty good for my first time really, REALLY doing this. Before it was just a sentence or two but this was a full conversation that was going on for 30 minutes or so. I start my ASL classes in January but I don’t want to over whelm the teacher with too many questions right off the bat. And this is my first formal ASL class.
When you are in that type of setting how do you indicate that I am saying it verses the Deaf person who you are interpreting for. I was speaking in 3rd person for his words but it felt weird. I have seen interpreters on TV and the like but they are in a one on one professional conversation, not like this type of situation wear I am speaking on the subjects, AND the Deaf person is as well. I don’t want to confuse the hearing person. And visa versa to indicate to the Deaf that it is me, rather than the other hearing person. Too confusing for me! LOL
 
When signing hearing persons thoughts to deaf friend say He/she says then sign. Then say to hearing person, he says ..... then when you want to pipe in slightly turn to deaf make eye contact and look quickly hearing person and talk same time as you are signing which is hard and they will be able to tell you are piping in. By looking back and forth at both people as you sign and talk they will know its your own thoughts you are expressing. Because prior to that, deaf person signs you are looking at them and once you know what the gist of the story is you tell the hearing person and as the hearing person is speaking, you are looking at the deaf person and signing. It isn't as hard as it sounds really body language is universal for instance, if neither is signing or talking and you are the only one signing and they will both pick up on that, they know you are signing/verbalizing your thoughts.
 
I try to avoid the "he/she says" thing whenever possible. The thing is, in professional situations the interpreter is not a member of the conversation, so it's easy to avoid. In a conversation in which a signer is taking part as well as interpreting, it can get more confusing.

Usually, though, it doesn't seem too difficult to indicate who is the one originating the utterance. If it's the deaf person, then he signs and I speak (watching the deaf person should be a good indication that the words are coming from him not me). If it's the hearing person, he speaks and I sign. If it's me, then I sign and speak at the same time. It might be a little confusing at first but it makes sense with practice.
 
That is one of my main problems; although i can speak and sign at the same time it is very difficult for me. VERY difficult. i sign very slowly and get confused when i do both. I have only been signing for a few months and while my signing with my friends is pretty good, that portion is awful. I know i will improve with practice but to practice means to do it and doing it is annoying right now.
 
Southern said:
That is one of my main problems; although i can speak and sign at the same time it is very difficult for me. VERY difficult. i sign very slowly and get confused when i do both. I have only been signing for a few months and while my signing with my friends is pretty good, that portion is awful. I know i will improve with practice but to practice means to do it and doing it is annoying right now.
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Since signing and speaking seems to be a problem for you right now--it will improve with practice--I assume that you were only voicing and not signing your comments inthe conversation. I would suggest when voicing for the deaf person, simply alter your body position slightly so that you are facing the signer. In that way you indicate to the hearing person that you are voicing for the signer rather than for yourself. But it would really be better if you could try and voice and sign at the same time to allow the deaf person to participate fully in the conversation. Just keep working at it. It gets better!
 
Yeah i know i try to keep my comments quick and simple so i can get them out and then sign them. But my Deaf friends know my limitations and that i am still new with it all. Actually i think they get as frustrated as me because when i voice and sign at the same time the amount that i slow down is very signifacant.
 
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