Page 189 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

174 Reading Between the Signs

of the Deaf and therefore the most efficient mode of instruction
for deaf children. Presumably, if we consider ourselves to be ASL/
English interpreters, we recognize and support ASL. However, we
may be guilty of more subtle acts and attitudes, perhaps out of
our conscious awareness, that effectively take the power of self-
determination out of the hands of the Deaf people we work for. It
may be the way we handle something, which can be perceived as
taking over—even something as simple as deciding where to sit.
Setting Up the Room. When we arrive at a job, one of our first
responsibilities is to make sure that the room is set up in such a
way that we can hear the speaker(s) and that everyone can see
whomever they need to see. Although it may be faster and easier
for us to make all these decisions, it may be better to involve the
Deaf consumer(s), in part for practicality (they have to be sure that
they can see comfortably) and partly out of politeness (group con-
sensus is preferable to one person’s taking control). If there seems
to be some resistance from the hearing person in charge about
having us up at the front of the room, it is better to introduce him or
her to the Deaf person(s) present and then go back into our role of
interpreter and allow them to handle their own negotiations.
“I’ve Always Wanted to Know….” Since sign language is so vi-
sual, we attract a lot of attention. The first time hearing people
see a sign language interpreter at work, they are often intrigued
enough to come over and interrogate us: “What’s the sign for...?”
“How long did it take you to learn to do that?” “Where can I learn
sign language?” “Are you his daughter?” (Or now that the years
have gone by, “Are you his mother?”)
Although it may be faster and easier for us to give curious
hearing people the answers to their questions, we must keep in
mind who the real expert is in this situation. How much better to
defer to the Deaf person by interpreting the question to him or
her, even though it was addressed to us. It is simple enough to
spell the word for which the onlooker would like to know the sign,
so that they can see it made by the Deaf person’s hands. If the
question is specifically about interpreting and the Deaf person is
not offering an opinion, by signing the entire exchange at least
they are included in the conversation and may be able to add
something later on. Recently, a nurse at a medical appointment
began questioning me about where she could learn sign language,
leaving the Deaf person to wait for her to finish the physical exam.
In the interest of getting her question out of the way, I replied

07 MINDESS PMKR 174 10/18/04, 12:02 PM