Page 71 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

56 Reading Between the Signs

does not assuage the Deaf client who is in the middle of an im-
portant meeting or a tooth extraction.

Interpreter Time
Sign language interpreters can be said to have their own system
of timing when it comes to switching interpreters in a teamed
assignment. Most interpreter training programs offer the “twenty-
minute guideline” as a basis for deciding when to switch inter-
preters. Of course, we are cautioned to try to make these transi-
tions as smooth as possible, switching as the speakers shift or at a
natural pause in the lecture. But somehow this basic guideline is
not as consistently followed as would appear. In fact, I would posit
that there is a continuum here between a strict adherence to the
twenty-minute rule and a flow-driven switching model. Perhaps
we do not realize how entrenched we are in our position on this
continuum, but let an interpreter who subscribes to the opposite
camp “violate” our unspoken rule and we react lividly. For ex-
ample, I would put myself on the strict adherence side of the con-
tinuum, but not all the way over on the end. I believe that twenty
minutes is an appropriate length of time to avoid repetitive-mo-
tion injury and to give my brain a needed break, but I can be
flexible if the situation calls for it. I have teamed, however, with
interpreters who would be hugging that strict adherence end point
with both arms. One, in particular, shocked me by placing a large
old-fashioned alarm clock in plain view. It went off with an annoy-
ing metal BRRRRRRRRing!!!!!! at exactly twenty minutes. Other
interpreters have written me little notes pointing out that I let
them go twenty-two or twenty-three minutes last time, so they
are going to even things out on this turn.
Although I might get peeved with these strict “twenty-
minuters,” it is nothing compared to my emotional reaction if I
happen to work with an interpreter who is extreme in the flow-
driven direction. I have had the experience of approaching my
team interpreter after about twenty minutes at what I thought
was an appropriate pause, only to be rebuffed with the statement,
“Not yet, I’m okay.” That is not what I was expecting, and need-
less to say I was stuck with egg on my face (or hands!) as I meekly
walked back to my seat. At other times my team interpreter in-
sisted on switching only when she decided that the topic had
changed.

03 MINDESS PMKR 56 10/18/04, 11:23 AM