I've thought about this, because I have considered becoming a terp in the future.. I think it would be awkward if i were to terp for my friends in personal situations (esp since my plans are to be a primarily medical interpreter), but at the same time, how does a hearing person become fluent enough to interpret without spending a considerable amount of time in the Deaf community?
However, I go to school in a different county than i live (and where most of my Deaf friends live), and plan to get a job at that hospital when i graduate. so if I would terp there it may not be a problem because the people that I know will probably not be going to hospitals in that area anyway. its an hour away and there are at least 3 hospitals in their area. although i do have one or two Deaf acquaintances in the county I plan to work.
Of course if someone called me personally and asked me to terp for them, i would (when i am qualified to do so), but i can see how there would be some awkwardness if they called an agency and i just showed up to terp for them about there impending surgery or something that they don't necessarily want people to know about.
The most important piece of advice I can offer as a Hoh/Deaf person who has friends who are interpreters is: "Work is Work - Friendship is Friendship"
The sign of a professional interpreter who truly values their friendships with Deaf people who are sometimes clients, is being able to successfully transition from one mode to the other as the situation requires. You have to be "strictly the interpreter" when interpreting - in that situation you aren't there as a "friend, who's translating", you are there as a "skilled professional interpreter, who has to function under Ethics, codes etc".
One thing that I've seen a number of interpreters do is have a 'physical, visual code' that they are either in "interpreter mode" or "friend mode".
Some examples of 'physical visual codes' they are in "interpreter mode are putting on: a solid coloured shirt/jacket/smock (that they only use for interpreting)
putting on an "interpreter pin" or official "name/ID tag" (a name tag, or something from the agency they work for etc)
Once they are finished interpreting they would then remove/change out of the shirt/blazer/jacket, remove their interpreter pin or name/ID tag etc. Doing so visually signals that they are no longer functioning in "Interpreter Mode" and have transitioned into "Friend Mode". Doing this
every single time makes sure that there is never any question in the relationship regarding "right now - are you functioning as my interpreter, or my friend?"
An example of how this might work for a Deaf person and Interpreter who are friends is:
The interpreter is booked to interpret a medical appointment for someone who's also a friend. They meet in the lobby of the office - and the interpreter is in "Interpreter Mode" (they're wearing appropriate clothing, and an the Interpreting Pin they always wear "at work").
The interpreter&client wait for the appointment and keep "chatting" to things that might come up during the appointment and things related to that ... because the interpreter is "working"(as such Ethics, Privacy etc all apply - so they can't talk about other people who are "clients" of the interpreter).
The attend the appointment and handle all the relevant "post appointment" issues such as booking the next medical appointment (and booking/pre-booking the interpreter etc) and then the the "interpreter appointment" is officially finished.
The two friends decide to go to lunch - so the interpreter excuses him/herself for a moment to the washroom where they remove the interpreting Pin, and change into a different top (or removes the smock/blazer etc they wear for interpreting) - if it's a woman she might add a necklace, if it's a guy they might remove their tie, or change it to something more colourful/fun etc.
When they come out of the washroom, they greet their friend with something like "there, all changed and ready to go" - something that acknowledges that they've made the transition from "interpreter" to "friend".
It's sometimes difficult making sure to keep things separate ... but it's VERY important to make sure always happens .. because it's well worth the effort it takes to ensure that the Interpreter/Friend line remains highly visible for everyone's benefit.
Aside from that - the other rule that is a close tie for "most important rule" for interpreters who are friends with their clients ... NEVER EVER EVER "gossip"/speculate/discuss "rumours" etc. with your interpreter friend about others - espeically others in the Deaf Community. Not only is it just bad manners in general - it puts the interpreter in a HORRIBLE spot, because as "interpreter" they have a LOT of "general knowledge" about people in the community that they are Ethically, Morally and LEGALLY not permitted to share/discuss. They may KNOW that "Jane S" is pregnant , or that "Tom S" was in the hospital etc - because they interpreted the appointment/situation etc ... none of which they can say or imply anything about though because as an interpreter they have to follow and obey a number of very important and fundamental privacy, ethics, etc codes.
Hope that helps ?
