Page 181 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

166 Reading Between the Signs

Situational Factors
Now I would like to describe six other factors which may alleviate
the need for making cultural adjustments in interpreting situa-
tions. The first is parallelism, which means that the transaction is
essentially the same in both cultures. Such simple actions as or-
dering a meal, buying a toy, or asking the time of day may not be
determined by vastly different systems of behavioral norms in
the two cultures involved, so the task of interpreting these ex-
changes can be relatively straightforward.
In recent months, I happened to have interpreted in quite a
few situations involving divorce proceedings. Because of my in-
terest in things cultural, I am always on the lookout for some ele-
ment of an interpreting situation that seems to carry a different
meaning in the two cultures (and which in this case might neces-
sitate some cultural adjustment between the divorcing Deaf couple
and the hearing family mediator, for example). Perhaps surpris-
ingly, I have not found these to be in evidence in the divorce pro-
ceedings in which I have been involved. Although I can imagine
instances where cultural issues might come into play, so far it
seems that the human emotions of anger and pain, which take
center stage in a bitter divorce, are sadly universal.
Second, some deaf clients may not identify with Deaf culture,
even though sign language is their preferred mode of communi-
cation. Depending on the age when they became deaf, whether
or not they attended a mainstream school, and other factors, your
deaf clients may be functioning in the mainstream culture. There-
fore, cultural adjustment may not be necessary.
Third, we must take into account the degree of biculturalism of
the participants in the interpreted event. Many Deaf people have
mastered the art of cultural code-switching and may choose to
follow hearing norms in certain situations, thereby alleviating our
responsibility for making cultural adjustments. There are a vari-
ety of factors that incline certain Deaf people to be more bicul-
tural than others. Some of these influences come from their family’s
attitude toward and degree of exposure to hearing culture—if they
have chosen, for instance, to associate with both Deaf and hear-
ing people at work and in community activities or have attended
hearing high schools and universities. Another influencing factor
in biculturalism is personality. It seems there are specific person-
ality traits that predispose some people to be more adaptive in

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