The Perspective of CDIs Presented by: Stephanie Weiss INT 455 Final Project Pam Collins December 2, 2013

Just a Thought When you see the word “Interpreter,” what does it mean to you? What words pop-up in your head? “I envision your understanding of interpreter is ‘someone who provides equivalent translations between a signed language and a spoken language.’” ‘Interpreter’ to the term ‘Deaf Interpreter’ Interpreter and Advocate What languages are deaf interpreters working between? Not a signed language and a spoken language Hearing = ASL to Spoken English or Vice Versa Deaf = ASL to ASL? Written English? Howard, 2013, Street Leverage

Table of Contents Roles of CDIs Perceptions The Blind Spot Deaf & Hearing Teams Interviewers Profile Different Scenarios Conclusion Discussion References

Roles of CDIs Definitions Relay Interpreter One that passes the information from one person on to another Shadow Interpreter Mostly used in theater settings Mirror Interpreter Useful in settings where there are members of an audience or setting that cannot see the original signed message due to sight line or distance restrictions Deaf-Blind Interpreter TASL & Pro-tactile Can SSPs become interpreters? Which CDI role is do you think it mostly used today? Howard, 2013, Street Leverage

Perceptions Deaf Interpreters are… quick to judge based on interpreter’s educational background, involvement in the community past and present, and their sign language fluency fluent users of sign language = adept in interpreting? Deaf community members think… cognitive impairments or have some idiosyncratic language Hearing interpreters feel… Unskilled or new in the field “As a profession we know that interpreting takes more than language fluency.” “I argue that deaf interpreters should accept this same model as hearing interpreters and not overly emphasize certification status.” Equality for All Howard, 2013, Street Leverage

The Blind Spot Are Deaf interpreters invisible? Not important? Part of the Profession Where’s the awareness? “On StreetLeverage, when you search the phrase ‘deaf interpreter’ you get 5 results out of the 67 total posts” ( Kaika, 2013, Street Leverage). Not enough jobs available nor provided? Why?!

Deaf & Hearing Teams Preparation “I don’t always think to share prep materials with Deaf interpreters until the day of an assignment- often not until we’ve all arrived. When I’ve been in touch with hearing teams to prepare for assignment, I don’t always include Deaf interpreters. What messages are sent when I consistently forget about my Deaf counterparts?” (Kaika, 2013, Street Leverage) Hoza Book - Team Interpreting as Collaboration and Interdependence Team Interpreting Definition According to RID’s Standard Practice Paper on Team Interpreting, “team Interpreting is the utilization of two or more interpreters who support each other to meet the needs of a particular communication situation.” Planned versus Unplanned Events Various Settings - medical, to legal, or psychiatric (Humphrey & Alcorn, 2007, p. 346) Different Teams, Different Working Styles Complexity Taking in consideration.. Context, participants involved, culture, languages used, goal of speakers, linguistic decisions (Bentley-Sassaman, 2012, JOT) Deaf client’s decision

…continued with 5 Teaming Strategies Feeding Information: 1). Target Language Feeds SL – C – R – P – TL 2). Confirmation 3). Process feeds SL – C – R – P – TL 4). Switch Roles Impossible 5). Collaboration Always Each team interpreter has their strengths and weaknesses in each strategy; therefore, they need to work together to see which one(s) will best suite them to achieve success. Hoza, 2010, p

…continued with Features of Collaboration & Interdependence in Team Interpretation Team Interpreters must obtain… 1). Relationship & Communication (45.2%) 2). Commitment & Trust (33.5%) 3). Personal Characteristics & Skills (17%) 4). Philosophy & Schema ( 4.3%) Hoza, 2010, p. 45

Interviewer’s Profile All are… Deaf Certified Men Professional Interpreting Experience Inexperienced (beginners of 5 years) Experienced (professional of 15+ years) Majored in Interpreting Mostly all graduated from Gallaudet University Either in B.A., M.A., and/or Ph.D. Program

Different Situations I will explain 2 different situations! 1). Suspension Dilemma on Platforms 2). Developing Academic Courses

Situation #1 Suspension Dilemma for Platforms CDIs suspended for interpreting on platforms? Why? Feeders/Monitors? Lag time? Preparation? speaker going off-topic & not following script? Someone quoted, ”I was there the during the entire presentation. The team was great. I find it really ironic that the Gallaudet campus complained.”

Situation #2 Developing Academic Courses Establish different academic courses such as… Deaf/Blind Pro-Tactile/TASL Comfort Zone Knowledge Deaf/Hearing Team Learn how to support each other What to know & learn from one another Put each other in character – in each other’s shoes More exposure of the CDI experience

Conclusion All interpreters should respect and support each other. All in all, all interpreters – CDIs and Hearing - have their own perspective on different topics and their own flaws and so, they need to determine how to best work together (or independently) in order to support the work of the team both personally and professionally.

Discussion Do you think there's a balance in the interpreting department between both kinds of interpreters – Hearing & Deaf? Academically? If you had to select a CDI role, which would it be? Relay Shadow Mirror Deaf/Blind What is your perspective on Deaf/Hearing teams? What is the most important feature to look forward to?

References Bentley-Sassaman, Jessica and Dawson, Christina (2012) "Deaf-Hearing Interpreter Teams: A Teamwork Approach," Journal of Interpretation: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 2. Available at: Howard, N. (2013). Nigel Howard | Deaf Interpreters: The State of Inclusion. Street Leverage. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from inclusion/ Hoza, J. (2010). Team interpreting as collaboration and interdependence. Alexandria, VA: RID Press. Humphrey, J. H., & Alcorn, B. J. (2007). So you want to be an interpreter?: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting (4th ed.). Seattle, WA: H & H Publishing Co.. Kaika, J. (2013). Deaf Interpreters: In the Blind Spot of the Sign Language Interpreting Profession?. Street Leverage. Retrieved December 2, 2013, from language-interpreting-profession/