Working with an Interpreter
What does an interpreter do?
An interpreter facilitates communication between people who use different
languages. An interpreter must be skilled in both languages, as well as
skilled in the process of interpreting.
What does an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter do?
An ASL interpreter facilitates communication between hearing people who
don’t sign and deaf people who use American Sign Language.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the provision of
qualified interpreters for services provided by state and local governments,
public accommodations, commercial facilities, and private entities related to
educational and occupational certification.
How do I know if an interpreter is “qualified”?
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf provides testing for national
certification. The National Association of the Deaf has also provided such
testing in the past; currently the RID and NAD systems are being combined.
Some states have their own testing systems, especially for educational
interpreters. Interpreters may also hold degrees from various interpreter
training programs throughout the country. None of these certifications,
however, are currently required to work as an interpreter.
When scheduling an interpreter, be prepared to provide this important
information:
•date and time
•setting (job interview, staff meeting, awards ceremony, etc.)
•the length of the assignment
•the number of deaf and hearing people who will attend
•the deaf person’s name (if known)
•contact person’s name and phone number
•directions and parking instructions
•as much information as possible about the setting and content,
including speaker outlines, agendas, programs, whether there will be a visual
presentation such as a video, etc.
Remember, the more information the interpreter has ahead of time, the
better job he or she can do!
When working with an interpreter:
•Allow time beforehand for the interpreter to preconference with the
presenter or meeting leader.
•Work with the interpreter in advance to decide how such issues as turn-
taking and interrupting for clarification will be handled.
•Remember that the interpreter will interpret everything she sees and hears.
If you don’t want it interpreted, don’t say it!
•Look at and speak to the deaf person, not the interpreter.
•Remember that the interpreter will be using processing time and so will be
at least a few words behind the speaker. Allow time for deaf participants to
receive the message and respond to any questions asked.
•If the participants will have visual information to study, make sure to allow
time for the deaf participants to watch these things and then the interpreter
sequentially.
•Remember that the interpreter will need breaks – don’t expect a single
interpreter to work for two hours straight.
Additional resources:
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf: www.rid.org
The official website of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf includes
information on how to become an interpreter, information for consumers on
hiring and working with interpreters, and a variety of useful “Standard
Practice Papers” on topic such as business practices for interpreters,
coordinating interpreters for conferences, and working with interpreters in
specialized settings such as legal and medical sites.
Northeast Technical Assistance Center: How to Hire a Qualified Interpreter
http://www.netac.rit.edu/downloads/TPSHT_Hire_Qual_Interp.pdf
Gives specific advice on how to find a qualified interpreter.
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/
The premiere source of information about deafness online, with fact sheets,
teacher guides, information about assistive devices, and more.
For Hearing People Only: answers to some of the most commonly asked questions
about the Deaf community, its culture, and the "Deaf reality" by Matthew S.
Moore and Linda Levitan ; with a foreword by Harlan Lane. (Deaf Life Press,
1993)
Questions and answers about ASL and Deaf Culture, presented in a
straightforward, often humorous, manner.
What does an interpreter do?
An interpreter facilitates communication between people who use different
languages. An interpreter must be skilled in both languages, as well as
skilled in the process of interpreting.
What does an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter do?
An ASL interpreter facilitates communication between hearing people who
don’t sign and deaf people who use American Sign Language.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the provision of
qualified interpreters for services provided by state and local governments,
public accommodations, commercial facilities, and private entities related to
educational and occupational certification.
How do I know if an interpreter is “qualified”?
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf provides testing for national
certification. The National Association of the Deaf has also provided such
testing in the past; currently the RID and NAD systems are being combined.
Some states have their own testing systems, especially for educational
interpreters. Interpreters may also hold degrees from various interpreter
training programs throughout the country. None of these certifications,
however, are currently required to work as an interpreter.
When scheduling an interpreter, be prepared to provide this important
information:
•date and time
•setting (job interview, staff meeting, awards ceremony, etc.)
•the length of the assignment
•the number of deaf and hearing people who will attend
•the deaf person’s name (if known)
•contact person’s name and phone number
•directions and parking instructions
•as much information as possible about the setting and content,
including speaker outlines, agendas, programs, whether there will be a visual
presentation such as a video, etc.
Remember, the more information the interpreter has ahead of time, the
better job he or she can do!
When working with an interpreter:
•Allow time beforehand for the interpreter to preconference with the
presenter or meeting leader.
•Work with the interpreter in advance to decide how such issues as turn-
taking and interrupting for clarification will be handled.
•Remember that the interpreter will interpret everything she sees and hears.
If you don’t want it interpreted, don’t say it!
•Look at and speak to the deaf person, not the interpreter.
•Remember that the interpreter will be using processing time and so will be
at least a few words behind the speaker. Allow time for deaf participants to
receive the message and respond to any questions asked.
•If the participants will have visual information to study, make sure to allow
time for the deaf participants to watch these things and then the interpreter
sequentially.
•Remember that the interpreter will need breaks – don’t expect a single
interpreter to work for two hours straight.
Additional resources:
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf: www.rid.org
The official website of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf includes
information on how to become an interpreter, information for consumers on
hiring and working with interpreters, and a variety of useful “Standard
Practice Papers” on topic such as business practices for interpreters,
coordinating interpreters for conferences, and working with interpreters in
specialized settings such as legal and medical sites.
Northeast Technical Assistance Center: How to Hire a Qualified Interpreter
http://www.netac.rit.edu/downloads/TPSHT_Hire_Qual_Interp.pdf
Gives specific advice on how to find a qualified interpreter.
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/
The premiere source of information about deafness online, with fact sheets,
teacher guides, information about assistive devices, and more.
For Hearing People Only: answers to some of the most commonly asked questions
about the Deaf community, its culture, and the "Deaf reality" by Matthew S.
Moore and Linda Levitan ; with a foreword by Harlan Lane. (Deaf Life Press,
1993)
Questions and answers about ASL and Deaf Culture, presented in a
straightforward, often humorous, manner.
American Sign Language Services
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
| Stories By Hand: Programs for all ages |
| ASL Workshops: professional development |
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Kathy MacMillan 7 Beth Court ~ Owings Mills MD 21117 443-739-0716 ~ info@kathymacmillan.com Page last updated 2/3/08 |
| ASL Instruction |
-Overview
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-Overview
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-Book a workshop
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resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf