INTERPETATION
INTERPRETING
This is where you can learn best practices to follow when booking and working with an interpreter,
and where you can request an interpreter for your meeting, conference, event, appointment or concert.
INTERPETATION
Book an Interpreter
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Please note: Receipt of this inquiry does not indicate acceptance of the assignment. You should not consider the assignment filled until you have completed a service agreement and received a CONFIRMATION email.
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Please note: Receipt of this inquiry does not indicate acceptance of the assignment. You should not consider the assignment filled until you have completed a service agreement and received a CONFIRMATION email.
* It is wise to book your interpreter as soon as you have established a date and time for the event/appointment. Rationale: There are several reason I suggest this. First, it can often take 48 hours or more to find an available interpreter even in large city. Additionally, it is easy to forget this detail if it is not done when setting the date. With medical and mental health interpreting, there may be additional requirements of the insurance agency. When considering performances, the more time the interpreting team has to rehearse, the better the interpretation is likely to be.
NOTE: If you are scheduling an interpreter for a person who has recently immigrated to the US you may consider requesting that a Deaf Interpreter be part of the interpreting team. Rationale: New immigrants may not be fluent in ASL. Deaf interpreters work as part of a team of two (one hearing and one Deaf interpreter). Deaf interpreters are uniquely skilled at presenting a message in a visual gestural format more easily understood by Deaf community members who do not use ASL as a primary language.
*Fill out the interpreter request form as completely as possible with the information that will be relevant on the day of the appointment. Rationale: The information on the request form is designed best match an interpreter to your assignment. If your staff is required to wear specific footwear or PPE as a part of their uniform this information should be passed to the interpreter so they can comply with the requirements. Please do include a RELEVANT point of contact for the date/time of the assignment. This should be someone who will be on site, or reachable via telephone/text. This offers your interpreter a way to contact someone on site if there is trouble accessing the building, finding the location of the appointment etc.
*Send Preparation Material as early as possible (Concerts, theater, conferences and workshops) Rationale: Prep materials allow the interpreter to become familiar with terminology and professional jargon unique to your field or organization. When considering concerts or theatrical interpretation, in addition to sending your set list, lyrics, script, and relevant prep materials, it is recommended that you make at least two rehearsals available to the interpreting team for preview during their prep time in addition to also making the dress rehearsal and tech rehearsals available. This will allow the interpreter/interpreting team develop an understanding of the show, the intended mood/message of the show, and the personalities of the characters. Interpreters are held to a code of professional conduct that includes confidentiality. If you advance prep materials, you can expect that they will only be shared among the interpreting team. Any prep materials that a performer/ company advances can be returned upon the completion of the show/assignment if you make that request.
*Reach out to your Deaf/ Deaf Blind or Hard of Hearing customer or patient after you have confirmed the name(s) of your interpreter(s) to let them know their appointment will be accessible to them. Rationale: It is sadly not uncommon for members of the Deaf community to arrive to long awaited for appointments only to find that no interpreter has been procured. I have heard this experience from friends of mine both Deaf and Deaf-Blind many of whom use public transportation and travel upwards of an hour to get to the appointment. Knowing that an interpreter has been procured increases the likelihood that they will keep the appointment.
*If your event requires that the interpreter work on a platform or stage, is a theatrical production or concert, insure that you have the capacity to light the interpreter and where appropriate a voice only monitor (generally for concerts and large rallies) Generally this only applies to theater events and concerts, but should be considered if you will be dimming the lights for a video. Rationale It is easier to insure appropriate light and sound requirements can be met prior to the start of the event. This can often be done by reaching out to the venue you are hosting in, or to your/the venues technical staff to let them know you will have an interpreter.
BEFORE YOUR EVENT/APPOINTMENT
DAY OF YOUR EVENT/APPOINTMENT
* Make respectful eye contact and speak directly to the Deaf person you are interacting with, not the interpreter. Rationale: Your primary interaction is to be with the Deaf person we are there to interpret for. There for rather than saying "Tell her/ him/them…", just tell her/him/ them yourself. I used to say that one doesn't say to the telephone "tell….." But these days with Siri and other voice controlled phone assistants that is no longer the case! The interpreter is there as a language and cultural conduit. We do expect to be treated respectfully but understand that we are there as a tool of communication and as such do not expect you to interact with us outside the scope of interpreting.
*Insure that there is a place for the interpreter to stand or sit near the primary speaker. Every Deaf person is different and some may have other considerations such as vision loss that may effect where the interpreter is positioned. When possible, work with the interpreter to determine the best location. In a case where there is a question about best placement the interpreter may defer to the Deaf participant to make the final determination. At a conference the interpreter is best placed at the front of the room in such a way that the Deaf participant can see the interpreter, the speaker and the slides in the same general line of sight. On a platform or stage where there is a speakers podium the interpreter is best placed next to the speaker. Another option is placing the interpreter at the corner of the stage closest to where the Deaf participant is seated. It may serve the situation best to have the interpreter standing or sitting in a chair on the floor. If this option is chosen, the same line of sight considerations mentioned about should be taken into account In a concert or theatrical setting, the interpreter is best placed at the corner of the stage opposite the loudest musical equipment, or on a riser in front of the stage. Rationale: A direct line of sight between the speaker, interpreter and supportive media allows the Deaf participant the most complete visual access to all of the information being presented. With this approach the Deaf participant does not have to choose between seeing the interpreter or the slides/ speaker/performer that they are there to see.
*Insure that there is seating for the Deaf participant that allows them a direct, up close, line of sight to the interpreter. Rationale: The line of sight rule mentioned about applies when considering where to seat the Deaf participant. A Deaf participant who is seated in the middle or back of a large room may see the interpreter, and may even be able to see the signs, but they are more likely to miss the facial expression of the interpreter. Rationale: The facial expression of the interpreter is an integral part of the ASL message and should be easily visible to the Deaf participant.
*Speak at your normal rate of speech and in full sentences/ ideas. Rationale: Most often ASL interpreters work in a simultaneous format which means we are interpreting as you are speaking. Rationale: Because the grammar in English and ASL are different , In most situations we interpret concepts rather than a word for word translation of what is being presented. If you pause for our interpretation we pause to wait for you to continue, with the incomplete idea hanging in the air waiting to be finished. Speaking at your normal pace and voice tone allows the interpreter to present the information smoothly . If the interpreter needs clarification or needs you to slow down, they will respectfully make that request. You should expect that your professional interpreter is prepared to navigate this situation and that you can proceed in your typical format.
*Allow extra time for an interpreted appointment. Rationale: Some interpreted appointments can take extra time because of the linguistic needs involved. Allowing a few extra minutes can prevent you feeling pressed for time or leaving information incomplete or not clearly understood if the process takes longer than you anticipated.
*Feel comfortable using interpreters for sensitive conversations. Rationale: Interpreters are trained professionals who are bound by a Code of Professional Conduct which includes confidentiality.
*Use the interpreter to engage the Deaf participant Rationale: The interpreter is there to interpret the program/workshop etc, but is also available to interpret table conversation, ice breakers, breakout sessions and casual conversations during the event. Break time conversation is generally negotiated between the Deaf participant and the interpreter if there is only one and worked out between the interpreting team if there is a team of interpreters.
*Go ahead and respectfully ask the Deaf person that question you have about Deafness or sign language that you have been wondering about. Rationale: The more you know about the person the more likely you will have a person first interaction, which is to say that you will be more likely to interact with a person who is Deaf, rather than a Deaf person.
*Use the sign that you know! Rationale: language is a connector when a common language is shared. Even only a few signs or phrases go a long way to building a bridge. Don’t worry about making mistakes, The Deaf person you are interacting with will most likely correct you gently if you do and you will learn something new if that happens. If you don't know any sign, don't be afraid to gesture (respectfully). This isn't a substitute for an intepreter in an important situation, but for social situations, this is a good bridge builder.
Working With an Interpreter
Best Practices
For some, booking and working with an interpreter the first few times can be a little bit daunting. I have compiled a few "Best Practices"to consider when scheduling and working with an interpreter. I have also included a rationale for these suggestions, because I remember details better when I know why they are important.
Do you have questions about interpreting or interpreters?
Submit your question below and check your email for an answer within 48 hours. Or find the answer to your question and other questions on my FAQ Page
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