Page 179 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

164 Reading Between the Signs

models (helper, machine/conduit, communication facilitator, bi-
cultural mediator) as different styles of clothing and that we keep
all of them in our “closet” to “wear” for an appropriate occasion.
In reality, when a new style of dress appears, most of us don’t
throw out all our older apparel and fill our wardrobes with only
the latest fashions. We might just push the older styles to the back
of the closet while we enthusiastically garb ourselves with the
latest innovation. There comes a time, however, when something
more traditional is called for and we reach in, pull out an old clas-
sic, and put it on again. Actually, it might be better to think of
these models as mix-and-match separates. It is entirely possible
that what may be most appropriate for a certain interpreting as-
signment is an old standby with just a touch of the trendy (i.e.,
basic conduit with a little bicultural mediator).
One reason we seem to gravitate to new models to use as a
guide for every situation is that it is much easier to have a pana-
cea than to adopt the eclectic approach. How do we analyze each
interpreting assignment to determine where our responsibility
begins and ends and what is called for in that particular case? I
hope to shed some light on this question in the rest of this chap-
ter.

What Is Not the Interpreter’s Responsibility

Our discussion of roles and responsibilities must involve a focus
on how we decide which aspects of the interpreting situation are
in our charge. It is clear that differences in linguistic structure
must be dealt with by the interpreter. This book focuses on the
cultural influences that are present in transactions between mem-
bers of any two cultures. Exactly where to draw the line around
culture may be ambiguous, however. During an interpreting as-
signment, we may notice that things don’t seem to be going well
between the participants. Neither party seems to be understand-
ing the point the other is trying to make. Is a cultural difference to
blame? Or is it something about the individual personalities in-
volved? At other times it feels as if there is a larger issue at the
core of the rift, which has something to do with differences inher-
ent in our societal structure itself. Should the smoothing out of all
these rough spots be part of the interpreter’s task? No. Let us
begin by examining three areas that are not included in our obli-
gation to deal with the linguistic or cultural elements of the inter-
action.

07 MINDESS PMKR 164 10/18/04, 12:02 PM