Page 165 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

150 Reading Between the Signs

Taken together, these comments from Deaf consumers seem
to paint a different picture of the ideal interpreter, one in which
the “humanness” of the interpreter is most valued. Clearly, there
can be great differences between the way hearing interpreters
tend to view our job and what Deaf people perceive as our role in
their lives.

Assuming Alternative Cultural Roles
A useful parallel may be seen in the field of cross-cultural counsel-
ing, which seeks to train counselors to be sensitive to differing
worldviews of clients from other cultures and to modify their thera-
peutic interventions accordingly. For example, in traditional forms
of Western therapy, clients are encouraged to make their own
decisions, because individuation is a hallmark of maturity. As
mentioned previously, in the majority of the world’s collectivist
cultures, in contrast, to make decisions on one’s own (without the
input and guidance of the family) is a sign of selfishness and im-
maturity.
So too, the role of the therapist shifts when seen through dif-
ferent eyes. In traditional Western psychological practice, thera-
pists are cautioned to remain neutral and refrain from giving ad-
vice or relating their personal experiences to their clients. Clients
who are members of certain non-Western cultures may be used
to getting direct help with their problems from other members of
the community. They may expect, therefore, to establish a per-
sonal bond with the person they turn to for assistance. To them,
the very act of the help giver relating his or her own experiences
engenders a sense of trust and connectedness.
The quandary of cross-cultural counselors bears a striking simi-
larity to the situation between professional interpreters and Deaf
people. What do we do about these seemingly opposing views
and expectations? Can we be all things to all people? Is it possible
to act in a more neutral manner with our hearing consumers and
in a more personal manner with our Deaf consumers?
Why not? While it may stretch our repertoire of ways of relat-
ing to other people, it is not an uncommon shift. We do it when
we relate to our own families in contrast with how we may act out
in the world, so why can’t we make a similar shift in performing
our work?
By accepting the designation of bicultural mediator, we ac-
knowledge the need to switch cultural modes of interacting when

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