volunteering sign skills vs. interpreting

OpheliaSpeaks

OpheliaSpeaks

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Hey all,
PRIDE is this weekend in my city (GLBT) and I sent in an email to ask if there would be interpreting services provided as well as to ask if they needed any volunteers who are proficient in sign.
I received an email back asking if I would be willing to "sign on stage" (aka: interpret). Apparently, there is a chance that our local intepreting agency may be unable to provide services this weekend.
I explained that I am hoh myself and was not originally offering to serve as an "interpreter" because I am not one.
So I'm curious now...in the event that they are unable to secure a terp, is it appropriate to offer to help? If you were Deaf and attending an event, would you not want a certified interpreter? Or would any access to the information be better than none at all?
I don't mind offering my skills if it comes down to that, but I am hoping for some feedback from some real terps and Deaf.
Thanks in advance everyone.
 
first of all, Not all of us are from USA, what's the heck is GLBT ?
care to expand what that city is please ?

Using acroynms isn't always smart (despite the trend they tend to thnk it is)

Well, interesting post this one
i see no reason why you can't as long as you can pick up everythign they say... or close approprixate WITH a working relationship in so they would slow down for you to gather what they are saying, since you're HOH. The later is really really important if this goes ahead.

I myself skeptical of professional interpreters, the words 'professional' or 'experts' hide what they dont know or dont want to know). I dislike how interpreting has became as part of the multi billion dollar disabilty (yes you Deafies - this is a significant part of the Disability sector like it or not) industry.

Initially I thought you were posting a thread about concept difference between volunteer/professional interpreting as does the pro's and con's of it.

but right now i havent got time to write more (work at the farm very soon)......but wil return , take a gander and write again, HTH

here is saying I cannot resist to say, that you said 'offering skills', that is dangerously close to hearism try not to come across so that you think you're better than real other deaf people in sign languages.

cheers
 
Thanks for the reply, Grummer...

Clarifications:
The city is in NY...The event is PRIDE (GLBT - Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender). Sorry I didn't make that clear before.

I appreciate the feedback.

I am not endorsing audism...nor was I insinuating that I was "better than" "real" Deaf sign language users. By "offering skills" I meant offering them to the chairman coordinating the event...the ASL-challenged hearies.
 
OpheliaSpeaks said:
Hey all,
PRIDE is this weekend in my city (GLBT) and I sent in an email to ask if there would be interpreting services provided as well as to ask if they needed any volunteers who are proficient in sign.
I received an email back asking if I would be willing to "sign on stage" (aka: interpret). Apparently, there is a chance that our local intepreting agency may be unable to provide services this weekend.
I explained that I am hoh myself and was not originally offering to serve as an "interpreter" because I am not one.
So I'm curious now...in the event that they are unable to secure a terp, is it appropriate to offer to help? If you were Deaf and attending an event, would you not want a certified interpreter? Or would any access to the information be better than none at all?
I don't mind offering my skills if it comes down to that, but I am hoping for some feedback from some real terps and Deaf.
Thanks in advance everyone.
Click to expand...

Well, I always say that it is not a good idea for someone to volunteer his/her services as an interpreter. The field of interpreting has worked so hard to make it a profession. When someone volunteers to interpret, that person is taking money out of interpreters who interpret for a living. Why should businesses, etc. pay for interpreters when there are free volunteers out there? It is hard to believe that they will not be able to secure an interpreter for this event since this is in a large city and for a pretty popular event. It doesn't mean they have to pay the interpreter money- there are ways to barter for services. For example, maybe the interpreter can get free tickets to an event or free dinner for two. This is a good opportunity for the event coordinator to learn about obtaining an interpreter for a public event- and to learn that interpreting is a "real" job that someone does for a living. Just as if they would have to pay for someone to set up equipment for the stage, to videotape the event, to advertise the event, etc. Obtaining an interpreter should be the same as obtaining a D.J., a motivational speaker, etc. This is just my opinon. ;)
 
deafbajagal:

I am in agreement with you..and I told the coordinator that I highly doubted they would be unable to secure a terp for the event..something is up with the local terp services though..my resident's terp for her medical appt didn't show today, which is really unusual.
I am also not sure when she requested the interpreter. It seems that things like this tend to be an afterthought and then they have to scramble around trying to get a terp and come up with the "we didn't request one on time" excuse. :roll:
 
I have been both volunteer and paid interpreter at Pride events. Here in DC, main stage Capital Pride does not use an agency - they use local gay interpreters. It's usually the same ones every year, and although they don't pay what I would consider my usual hourly rate, they do pay something. I agree, the important part is compensation, not necessarily paying full price.

My volunteer work was for the Dyke March. It's put together on basically no budget, so they don't have money to pay terps, and I'm okay with that. They had a spare "Dyke March Staff" t-shirt, so they gave me that.

For your situation, I would not offer to interpret. (Yes, you ARE offering skills; you have the skill of ASL fluency and the skill of hearing enough to interpret.) I know there must be plenty of terps in your area who can do the job, even if it's not through an agency. Using someone without interpreter training as an interpreter creates an image that anyone can do it; using someone who has passed ASL 3 is not sufficient, and event coordinators need to know that. The interpreter doesn't have to be certified - it's desirable, but not required, as long as they have interpreter training and are aware of the related processes and ethics, etc.


As for Grummer's comments, well, things may be different where he is from, but in the U.S. interpreting is a profession and we take it seriously. I haven't met a single interpreter who was in it for the money or to take advantage of deaf people.
 
I echo Etoile's comments; interpreters should be interpreting (paid or volunteer). It's not about the money, but having "signers" perform the task of interpreter dilutes what an interpreter is and does.

Best of luck to you and hope you have a great time. I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun.
 
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