Sign Language Interpreting Services

© 2001 Linda Alexander

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Sign language interpreting services exist to help deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate clearly with those who can hear. If you have an important event coming up that you need to make accessible to deaf people, you will need to locate a translator. Here are some ideas on how to find an interpreting service.

First, contact your state resources, such as the department of health and human services. They give referrals to sign language interpreting services. Another place to try would be any organization that serves deaf or hard of hearing people. Your yellow pages can help you out here.

Colleges with interpreting training programs sometimes offer sign language interpreting services. Or, you can find any language translation service--American Sign Language may be one that they interpret. There is always the Internet, where you can look for a local translator to help you.

Most services need about two weeks' time to schedule an interpreter. There are services that work on demand 24 hours a day and seven days a week, but they will cost more. It's best if you allow ample lead time for sign language interpreting services, so they can find the appropriately skilled translator for your assignment.

Special Accommodations for Sign Language Interpreting Services

If your program involves the use of audio/visual equipment, you may need special accommodations, such as a spotlight in the dark so deaf people in the audience can see the person signing. Be aware of this when you choose a service and inform them of your needs. It also helps to send written material to the translator ahead of time so he or she can become familiar with it before the event.

When scheduling an appointment with interpreters, it is helpful to discuss the details of the assignment such as the date, time, and length of the assignment. You should also give them the location, and let them know if there will be any technical material involved in the translation. Also inform them if the assignment involves a sensitive issue, such as an appointment with a mental health counselor.

Billing Policies

Remember to discuss billing policies with the sign language interpreting services you choose. Many require a minimum of two hours' pay. You should also talk about rates and travel time or expenses. Also, if your program is long, you may need to schedule multiple translators.

Locating available sign language interpreting services for your event might take time and certainly takes patience. Keep calling around until you find the right service. If you put the time into it, you might locate a service you will want to use over and over again in the future.

Using Translators at Events

Translators of American Sign Language into spoken English are also known as interpreters, or 'terps. They are not merely translating one language to another, but are facilitating communication between deaf and hearing people. Consider it an interpretation not just of language, but also of culture.

If you hold an event where a deaf audience member has requested an interpreter, you will need to follow the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide one. Such translators can be found through interpreter agencies, deaf services agencies, or local community services that provide services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Many organizations of the deaf also offer referrals to translators/interpreters.

When speaking with deaf people, remember to address them directly. Even when you are on the phone through a TTY or relay operator, you aren't speaking to the interpreter or operator--you're having a conversation with a deaf person. It's important, when speaking in person, to be sure that you can see each other clearly. Deaf people read facial expressions and lips as well as signs.

Interpreters can only convey one message at a time. Keep this in mind when holding a conversation with a deaf person. Try not to change subjects too quickly or send multiple messages at once. Though ASL is a complete, complex language, it does take time for the interpreter to sign, for the deaf person to reply, and for the interpreter to speak back to you.

Non-Manual Information in American Sign Language

American Sign Language is the fourth most common language used in the United States. It is a visual language used by the deaf and hard of hearing. Like all sign languages, it uses a complex combination of handshapes, locations, and movements to convey information. Like English and other languages, ASL has its own regional variations as well as variations used by different races, ages, and genders.

American Sign Language is not a direct translation of English. Instead, it has its own grammatical structure. Nor is it specifically a "gestural" language. Gestures are only one part of the language while facial expressions and movement also play important roles.

In spoken English, the difference between statements, questions, and commands is conveyed by different intonations in people's voices. In other words, information is not just given through specific words. Similarly, in American Sign Language, grammatical information is sometimes given in other ways, such as raising of eyebrows, a forward tilt of the body, or shrugging shoulders.

Deaf people have their own culture with its own complexities. You may define deaf people as "different" from those who can hear, in a view that is equal to racism or sexism. Or you can view the deaf community as another culture with its own language, common interests, and visual way of relating to the world.

Medical and Sociological Definitions of Deaf

Deaf refers to a culture of people whose native language is a sign language. They are a group with their own culture, language and traditions. This is not the conventional definition of people known for their absence of a sense of hearing, although most members of the culture do share this characteristic. In this case, deaf will refer to people who use American Sign Language as their native tongue, whose primary relationship to the world is visual.

The medical definition of "deaf" is defined negatively where the "norm" are people who can hear and the "deaf" are people who cannot. This view differs widely from the view that is based on linguistic and sociological research, which realizes that these people form their own culture. There is a complex set of factors examined when defining a community and the deaf meet those conditions.

Deaf culture has a need for meeting and communicating directly with one another. They have their own politics, theatre, issues, movies, and other cultural characteristics. In this example, sign language is another trait held in common with the culture, not merely a means of communication.

Throughout history, deaf people have sometimes defended their right to be deaf and hold their own identity to the point that it has shocked the mainstream culture. Their identity and self esteem are so strong that sometimes people consider them an extremist group. In fact, during the 1970s a "Deaf Power" movement emerged, bringing visibility and public awareness to deaf issues.

Benefits of Hiring Certified Deaf Interpreters

Certified deaf interpreters are interpreters who hold a CDI certificate. They are deaf or hard of hearing and have demonstrated at least one year's experience working as an interpreter. To be certified deaf interpreters, they must also have trained at least eight hours on the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Ethics as well as at least eight hours training in general interpretation as it relates to interpreters who are deaf.

Of course, there are many other types of credentials deaf interpreters may hold. Certificate of Transliteration (CT) and Certificate of Interpretation (CI) are other qualifying credentials for which an interpreter can be tested. The RID maintains a list of all of its certified members.

There are special instances where certified deaf interpreters are needed, when the communication style of a deaf person is so different that hearing interpreters cannot understand it. This may involve people who use signs unique to their families, use a foreign sign language, or who are deaf blind. In these cases, a CDI might work on a team with a hearing interpreter, or work alone as the sole interpreter.

Using CDIs often provides the best possible communication between parties. They will achieve optimal understanding of messages and be able to clarify cultural misunderstandings. Also, depending on the situation, CDIs may offer you the most cost-effective and efficient use of time and money.

Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities, including deaf and hard of hearing people. The law covers employment, government, public accommodations, and telecommunications. Each section of the ADA explains what services must be provided for the disabled, including the deaf.

Basically, the Americans with Disabilities Act says that businesses, agencies, service providers, and employers must remove barriers that would prevent deaf people from participating. Of course, the government has allowed time for changes to take effect, so rules have been added gradually.

There are some exceptions under the law, specifically "undue hardship," where it would be too costly or difficult to make changes that accommodate disabled individuals. However, the ADA says that businesses must still do as much as possible to provide access for disabled individuals.

The Americans with Disabilities Act says that you need to let businesses/agencies know what you need in order to communicate. There are many ways deaf people communicate, such as through interpreters, by written notes, or through TDDs. Since people communicate differently, you need to be specific with what you are comfortable using, so the business can provide the right accommodations for you.

The Importance of Touch and Smell with Deaf Blind Interpreting

Deaf blind interpreting is a field that is growing in demand. People may be deaf blind for several reasons and each individual has varying degrees of vision and hearing. Therefore, in a deaf blind situation, it is important for the interpreter to have information ahead of time as to how the deaf blind person or people want to communicate.

Deaf blind interpreting requires a different communication style than interpreting for the deaf. For example, you might have to sign in front of the person's face, or use tactile interpreting on the person's hand, depending on their degree of vision loss. People with tunnel vision, for example, can usually understand signs if the overhead lighting is sufficient. People with close vision might require the interpreter to sit close to them and sign; however, the lighting and the interpreter's clothing colors must also be right.

Another thing to keep in mind with deaf blind interpreting is that people without their sense of hearing and vision may depend more on smells and touching. Therefore, strong scents such as cigarettes may bother them (they bother me and I can see and hear clearly). Keeping your hands clean for tactile interpreting and keep your breath smelling fresh !

Finally, as a courtesy to the deaf blind, when interpreting, let them know how many people are present, their races and gender, and the layout as far as where everyone is sitting or standing. This is information that you would want to know too, in order to give you a clearer understanding of your location. Ask the person ahead of time what they need in terms of language, lighting, seating, and accessibility to forms and presentation materials.

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