Page 205 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

190 Reading Between the Signs

adjustment is to go through a mental checklist, asking yourself if
any of the following elements are present. (Feel free to add your
own questions to this list.)
1. Does there seem to be an intention of rudeness? If not, and I
interpret the comment literally (without a cultural adjustment),
will there be a perception of rudeness from the other party?
2. If the surface form of the comment seems to be troublesome,
can I look for the function of the statement and convey that?
3. Are the points being presented in an order that the other per-
son may find unclear?
4. Can I use my own reactions as a barometer in this situation?
(Am I confused? Am I surprised or offended at something?)
5. Is there a hidden implication that I should make explicit? (Do
I need to check it out first?)
6. Does this comment assume prior knowledge or shared assump-
tions that the other party may not possess?
7. Are participants leaving with basically the same conclusion
that I came to?
After we have asked ourselves questions like those listed above
and concluded that there does indeed seem to be a cultural differ-
ence which might get in the way of clear communication, the
next question is surely, “What can I as the interpreter do about
it?” I will now offer eight techniques for cultural adjustment, la-
beled so that we can discuss their relative merits for a given situ-
ation.

The Waiting Room Chat
Chatting with the Deaf client for a few minutes before the ap-
pointment gives us an opportunity to get a picture of the context,
timeline of events, and main point from the Deaf client’s perspec-
tive. It is also gives us a moment to examine his or her use of
language and to establish rapport. Give the Deaf client an opening
line which invites his or her story without demanding it, for ex-
ample, “Is this your first time here?” or “Can you tell me a little bit
about what this meeting is for?” Contrary to some opinion, it is
not “cheating” to get background information. Without some kind
of briefing by the patient, when the doctor refers to “that proce-
dure we tried last year” or “those tests I told you about” or “my
concern about your condition,” you will probably have to stop the
conversation to ask for a more specific explanation (so you can

08 MINDESS PMKR 190 10/18/04, 12:02 PM