Frequently Asked Questions – From Customers
We strive to provide you with answers to all your questions. If you need additional information or would like to learn more about American Sign Language or the Deaf Community please feel free to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day.
About Sign Language Interpreters
Why should I use an interpreter?
Why do I have to provide an interpreter; why can’t we write on paper?
How do I choose the right interpreter?
What should I consider as a provider to ensure a successful interpretation?
What is a “certified” interpreter
Why do I need two interpreters for longer assignments?
What is the role of an interpreter?
When I order an interpreter, what will they do?
Where can I read more about the laws and guidelines of interpreters?
Things to consider when requesting a Sign Language Interpreter
What is the topic of the appointment?
Length and Style of Appointment
About Sign Language Interpreters
Sign language Interpreters are some of the most highly trained and specialized interpreters working in the interpreting field today. ASL interpreters begin with years of schooling to learn Sign Language and are trained in various systems of sign. Unlike general language interpreting, Sign Language Interpreter Training Programs are specifically designed for the service to the Deaf community. Course studies include Deaf culture, history, and cover the foundation of Deaf interpretation needs and how they differ so greatly from other language interpreting needs. The certification standards for sign interpreters are more rigorous than most spoken language testing requirements, ensuring experience, aptitude, and expertise. Certified interpreters adhere to a strict code of ethics, conduct, and privacy policies that exceed those of most agencies. When ordering a Sign Language interpreter you can be sure that you are not only providing the best possible means of communication for the Deaf individual, but that you are receiving a skilled interpreting professional.
Why should I use an interpreter?
In many situations, doctors and other service providers will “get by” without the use of a professional interpreter. Monolingual consumers often bring along family members or friends who are more fluent in English not understanding that many providers will gladly provide an interpreter if asked. Far too often, family members and other bi-lingual individuals operate as an interpreter without adequate training, experience, or adequate fluency in either language.
In many situations, both the consumer and the provider suffer from utilizing under qualified interpreters as they may lack industry vocabulary, professional ethics, and confidentiality training associated with working in highly sensitive situations.
A biased or un-neutral party who knows either the provider or consumer may interject with their own opinion or agenda rather than allowing the consumer and provider to establish their own relationship and complete a successful discussion.
Having no working knowledge of the other’s language, both the provider and consumer may be unaware that their conduit is misinterpreting the message which can result in disastrous consequences and the delivery of false information in a potentially serious situation.
Working without an agency or professional interpreter leaves you at the mercy of chance. An untrained and unqualified person may exhibit one or all of many negative attributes which could jeopardize an interpreting appointment. In the medical, legal industries and at other crucial life events, it is imperative like the provider’s service that all aspects of communication are of the highest quality possible.
Why do I have to provide an interpreter; why can’t we write on paper?
The reason that interpreters are so vital, is because individuals are entitled to communication services in their first language or in their preferred method of communication.
A common misconception is that American Sign Language and English are the same, or that ASL is manually coded English. The fact is that ASL is as different from English as Japanese and so providing written notes to a Deaf consumer could be unsuccessful as English is not the first language of many Deaf individuals.
Also, simply being established in an English speaking country does not ensure signs will be similar; British, Australian, and American sign are all different in that they were created by each country’s Deaf population and evolved over time into their own distinct dialects.
Providing communicating access in a person’s preferred language is the most important step in initiating a trusting relationship. Not only dies it demonstrate your commitment to successful communication and your respect for their heritage and culture, but it ensures that your message will be transmitted accurately and without bias by a language professional.
How do I choose the right interpreter?
The most important step in choosing the right interpreter is to gather as much information as you can about your consumer. Interpreters benefit from knowing your consumer’s signing abilities, their emotional state, and information about the topic of each assignment.
Giving your agency all the information ahead of time helps us choose the right interpreter with the appropriate vocabulary, experience, and a willingness to work in your environment.
When you call in to request an interpreter, you will be asked your consumer’s name, approximate age, where they were born or educated, their signing style (where they fall between ASL, PSE, and Signed English), and the purpose of the appointment. Please also let us know this if we need to advise our interpreter of this persons emotional state so that we can prepare them for what they are walking in to. If you have questions, contact one of our dispatchers for more information.
What should I consider as a provider to ensure a successful interpretation?
Please try to schedule your interpreter with enough notice to ensure that our dispatchers have adequate time to find the interpreter who is the best fit for your consumer.
Have all the specifics ready for the dispatcher, name, age and disposition of consumer, purpose of appointment, and any other specifics you have-or that the dispatchers request.
Allow more time as working with an interpreter can increase the expected duration of your meeting.
Take time to meet with your interpreter prior to the meeting to clarify the purpose of the meeting and any details; this will help in providing smooth and easy interpretation.
Give the interpreter a moment to clarify their role to both yourself and your consumer. The interpreter will explain who they are and their purpose their as a language bridge between both parties, and that all material will be transmitted completely and confidentially.
Make sure that the interpreter understands where you would like them to stand making sure that the interpreter is visible or audible by all parties involved without interfering with the consumer and provider maintaining eye contact and a clear line of communication.
Inform your interpreter and consumer that they can interrupt at any time to clarify any misunderstandings immediately. Also, be aware that some of your dialogue may not translate directly and that your interpreter may need to paint verbal pictures to explain your concepts. Using terms that are easier to translate and speaking in short concise sentences will help your interpreter maintain the integrity of the message.
Speak in 1st person to ensure communication is maintained and stays directed between the you as the provider and your consumer. Instead of saying “ask her if she’s feeling ok”, ask "are you feeling OK?” This will ensure that your consumer is the focus of your conversation, maintain an open body posture and eye contact with your consumer as you will pick up on body language and facial expressions your interpreter may not transmit.
Remember at all times that your interpreter is a part of your consultation, and also bound by confidentiality agreements and the interpreter code of ethics. Your interpreter is in the same ”circle of trust” as you and your consumer so keep them informed and know that any information you divulge is not only beneficial, but will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Before excusing your interpreter, make sure that you have clarified any questions or concerns with your consumer and interpreter before ending the meeting. This is the final opportunity for you to make sure that everything has been covered and that this has been a successful and positive experience for all parties involved.
Once your appointment is finished, it is helpful if you call or report to our office with details about how your assignment went, and give us feedback about our interpreter and the services provided. We are committed to ensuring the highest quality of services possible and your experience plays a pivotal role in our quality control process.
What is a “certified” interpreter?
Interpreters who are fluent in ASL and often who have attended an interpreter training program then advance in their careers by testing for certification. Becoming certified allows interpreters to work in educational, legal, and medical facilities within states with licensure laws. RID, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and NAD, the National Association of the Deaf, are the two most common accrediting agencies through which interpreters become certified.
Certification consists of two exams; first a written exam which tests the interpreter’s understanding of Deaf culture, Deaf history, ethical guidelines, laws, and other aspects of their profession. The second half of their certification process is a performance exam, taken often months after the written exam. The performance test evaluates the interpreters signing, voicing, comprehension, and other physical aspects of sign language interpreting.
Local and state certifications are available such as the sate’s educational interpreters exam, however are not as widely recognized as RID and NAD. One of the largest benefits of working with interpreters who abide by industry standard code of ethics and are certified, is that your interpreter has been proven competent not only to sign, but to operate as a neutral entity and facilitate communication without jeopardizing the purpose of your meeting.
Why do I need two interpreters for longer assignments?
Interpreters of all languages work in teams when there is going to be simultaneous interpreting. The difference between a one-on-one job interview where people take turns signing and voicing, and a large conference, when one person voices and the interpret works non-stop, is the level of physical intensity. Interpreters work in teams in 20 minute increments during simultaneous conferences or when an appointment is going to be longer than 2 hours.
The reason interpreters are so cautious of their physical and mental wellbeing is that after a long period of voicing, the interpreter’s mental capacity starts to diminish and can affect the interpreters ability to relay the message in its entirety. When considering the physical aspects of interpreting for extended periods of time is because physical ailments such as tendonitis can develop overnight. With the onset of tendonitis an interpreter could be forced to give up weeks of work, and recuperate unpaid for simply pushing themselves too far.
What is the role of an interpreter?
The role of an interpreter is best explained by RID at the following link, however in short, an interpreter is a communication broker between two parties who do not share a common language. An interpreter is not an advocate, they cannot offer legal or medical advise or their personal opinion. Interpreters will sign what you voice, and they will voice what your patient signs. Interpreters operate in 1st person to retain the message in its entirety.
Interpreters are often asked to “calm the patient down” or “please just hang out with the patient and keep the patient company” and that is not within their role of an interpreter, your staff and providers must tend to your Deaf consumer as if they are hearing and your interpreter’s only role is to facilitate communication. People will often tell an interpreter, don’t interpret this”, by that time it is too late and an interpreter has already signed verbatim “don’t interpret this”. If there is something that you do not want interpreted, you must ask your interpreter and patient to leave the room rather than put your interpreter in the positing of making an ethical decision on your behalf.
Most interpreters will clarify the situation, if they are being asked to do something that is outside the role of an interpreter, however if you have any questions please contact dispatch.
http://www.diversityrx.org/html/moipr3.htm - The role of an interpreter
When I order an interpreter, what will they do?
When you order an interpreter, they will arrive to your location, check in where instructed, and report for duty. Your interpreter will facilitate communication between you and your Deaf consumer, and once they are excused, they will report back to our office that they have completed their assignment. While on grounds the interpreters will not perform any clerical tasks, they will not move or manage patients in any physical or therapeutic manner, and they will not perform tasks above and beyond the call of interpreting as it would be a conflict of interest and outside their role as an interpreter.
Where can I read more about the laws and guidelines of interpreters?
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm
http://www.jik.com/adacg.html
NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct
http://www.diversityrx.org/html/moipr3.htm - The role of an interpreter
Things to consider when requesting a Sign Language Interpreter
One of the little known facts about sign language is that it is not a universal language. There a many forms of sign language; not only based upon the country of origin, but even in American Sign Language there are various systems that differ conceptually such as: ASL-American Sign Language, SEE- Signed Exact English, CASE-Transliteration, MLS- Minimal Language Skills. Deaf individuals need a sign interpreter who is fluent in their specific system in order to communicate effectively. There are many factors that can determine an individual’s sign style. These include whether they were born Deaf or became Deaf over time and what country they or their parents learned to sign in. Sometimes it is purely preferential. These things are important for interpreters to know before accepting an appointment so that they are able to provide the best possible service. When requesting an interpreter, try to gather as much information about your Deaf client as possible. Not only will your interpreter appreciate knowing ahead of time about the client they will be serving, but it will also help our agency match the best interpreter to your client’s specific needs.
What is the topic of the appointment?
In many cases, there are vocabulary words that are specific to a particular business or industry. It is important for the interpreter and agency to know when they are accepting a medical, technical, scientific, legal, or industry specific appointment because it will enable us to select the most appropriate interpreter for that job. Try to provide the agency with all the information you have regarding content, format, and the audience. Any conference manuals or scripts ahead of time are greatly appreciated, if possible, provide a time prior to the appointment when the interpreters and the Deaf individuals can meet to establish signing preference and shorthand signs. This will ensure clear communication between all parties.
Length and Style of Appointment
Interpreters work on a two-hour minimum basis. However, with Sign Language, team interpreting is often required for longer appointments to alleviate the strain on an interpreter's shoulders. Due to the physical nature of the language, any one interpreter can interpret for two hours of consecutive back and forth conversation, but can only interpret simultaneous non-stop for fifteen minutes or so. Most medical, legal, and even educational appointments are consecutive, question and answer conversation where the interpreter is not signing constantly, and one interpreter will suffice. Group meetings, conferences, and theatre style interpreting where the Deaf individual is in the audience and the interpreter is doing non-stop simultaneous interpreting, two interpreters are required and must take turns interpreting. Be sure to know ahead of time the format of your appointment, how long it is going to last, and be sure to allow ample time for breaks.