ASL INTERPRETING “When the person wiggles their fingers”

What is it? Interpreters Make Communication Possible Sign Language/spoken English interpreters are highly skilled professionals that facilitate communication between hearing individuals and the Deaf or hard-of-hearing. They must understand the cultures in which they work and apply that knowledge to promote effective cross-cultural communications (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf rid.org)

What is it? More Than Fluency Interpreting requires specialized expertise. While proficiency in English and in sign language is necessary, language skills alone are not sufficient Takes a committed individual to not only achieve certification but to also maintain and grow the skills needed; Requires physical stamina, endurance and the ability to emotionally handle an assignment and adhere to confidentiality; Necessitates a great knowledge of the English language and the ability to speak clearly, be audibly heard and to portray the feelings and emotion of the speaker, whether they are voice or sign interpreting (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf rid.org)

Interpreter’s Brain 1. Listen to/Watch the person, look at their body language/listen to the tone 2. What do they MEAN? What is their intent? 3. Interpret it into the other language in your brain. 4. Produce the other language **All while still taking in MORE information (simultaneous interpreting)

Education/skills? An interpreter can not just “know” ASL. They must be fluent in both English and ASL and be able to discuss a variety of wide ranging topics with ease. An ITP (Interpreter Training Program) will cover ASL skills, as well as in depth training on Sign to Voice and Voice to Sign interpreting, and can be either an Associates (at CSCC) or a Bachelors (Kent State). National Certification is not required, but is usually expected that an interpreter will be working towards that achievement.

Where? Interpreters work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: MedicalRehabilitation Legal Mental health EducationPerforming arts ReligiousBusiness VRS

Medical Doctor’s office OB/GYN Ped Neuro Urology Physical Therapy Family practice ophthalmology etc Hospital pre/post op testing-MRI/ CAT etc inpatient ER trauma Oncology etc

Legal Courtrooms For a victim For a defendant For a jury member Offices Attorney/client meetings Depositions

Educational Elementary (Usually also an aide) Middle High School Usually with the same student all day everyday, all year, multiple years. Post Secondary –May or may not have the same student, if student drops class, you don’t get paid.

Religious Churches/Synagogues/ Mosques/other houses of worship Services Meetings Bible Studies

Mental Health/Rehab Hospitals Psych Hospitals Psych wards Prisons Out patient Meetings (AA, NA, AlAnon) Counseling Therapy

Performing Arts/Presentations Theatre Plays Musicals Comedians Music Concerts Presentation Political speeches Workshops/Seminars

Business Meetings Interviews Job training Annual reviews

VRS EVERY TOPIC YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE -You can‘t turn down an assignment -You CAN have a team terp almost instantly -From all over the country, regional signs/variation, etc Friends Business related Romantic Partners Medical Family Home related

Things interpreters deal with… Tough situations Uninformed hearing people Poorly set up environments Being self employed/ independent contractor: - Scheduling - Collecting payment And many, many more…

Interview

College Classroom

Comedians

CDI Certified Deaf Interpreter –Used to help with Minimal Language or MH clients –Used with children –Used in conjunction with a Hearing Interpreter –Certified by the RID-NAD –Usually better equipped to communicate with non-typical Deaf clients

Professionalism TENETS of Code of Professional Conduct 1. Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication. 2. Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation. 3. Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation. 4. Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers. 5. Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession. 6. Interpreters maintain ethical business practices. 7. Interpreters engage in professional development.

CPC Tenets 1. Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication. DO NOT TELL! You can speak in generalities to receive professional feedback or for learning, but you can not say anything specific or give any identifying information and NEVER for gossip.

CPC Tenets 2. Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation If you are not, you need to excuse yourself from the assignment, or better yet, not take it in the first place. This includes situational vocabulary, setting, topic, and consumer.

CPC Tenets 3. Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation. This includes attitude, dress, sign choice, and making sure that you are a neutral third party.

CPC Tenets 4. Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers. This is in regards to both hearing and Deaf consumers. We shall avoid paternalistic thinking, and be there strictly to facilitate communication. Give all parties equal rights to interpretation, and do not change their meaning.

CPC Tenets 5. Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession. Fellow terps and future terps deserve respect and shall not be put down or unfairly criticized. Gossip is not permitted and everyone shall be treated with respect.

CPC Tenets 6. Interpreters maintain ethical business practices. Financially undercutting other agencies or interpreters is not ethical and will not be tolerated. Fair rates are to be expected from all consumers and no interpreter shall fraudulently gain income.

CPC Tenets 7. Interpreters engage in professional development. ASL, like all languages, is living and evolving. It is important to keep up on new vocabulary and new issues in the Deaf community. There are also new laws and policies that involve interpreters in which the terps need to be aware.

Social Media and the Interpreter At no time on an assignment should you, as an interpreter, tag your whereabouts on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media site. People are nosey! Your posts are noticed! At no time on social media should we bash another Interpreter or Interpreting agency.

This means don’t put those subtle remarks… well I didn’t put a name…but everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about. Very unprofessional. Extroverts may struggle more with this. Introverts tend to not want anyone to know their business Social Media and the Interpreter

NIC? The joint RID-NAD National Interpreter Certification exam is the current exam. Prior to July 2012, you must have an Associates degree to sit, as of July 2012 you must have a Bachelors degree to sit for the exam. There are two parts, The Knowledge portion, and The Interview and Performance Portion.

NIC Knowledge Portion It is a General Knowledge exam about the field of interpreting. Done at many different testing sites all over the country via the computer. Results are given instantaneously. It is Pass/Fail. You must pass the Knowledge portion prior to taking the interview and performance. Once you pass the knowledge portion, you have up to 5 years to take and pass the Interview and Performance. If that is not done, then you must start over.

NIC Interview and Performance The Interview portion is all about ethical dilemmas and the Code of Professional Conduct. You will be given 3 scenarios, in which you must explain the dilemma, explain possible outcomes, and make a decision, all timed, all done in any sign system you choose. The Performance portion is 3 different interpreting scenarios which you must do Sign to Voice and Voice to Sign.

NIC Interview and Performance This is a video taped test at different approved sites. It is sent to three different raters, who critique and judge the interpreters skills, and rate them accordingly. All three raters have equal weight and are averaged together to either Certify or not Certify the rater. This generally takes anywhere from 4-8 weeks to receive the results, though in the past it was up to 6 months.

Taking the NIC Member Examination Fees New Applicant Retake NIC Knowledge $300 $250 NIC Interview and Performance $385 $335 Non-Member Examination Fees New Applicant Retake NIC Knowledge $400 $350 NIC Interview and Performance $485 $435

Interpreter Self Care Interpreting is Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally challenging, we have to take care of ourselves!