Through the years, we have seen a vast improvement in career options available to deaf people. In many cases this is due to new discoveries in technology as well as higher standards of education. In other cases it is due to persistence and claiming our right to utilize our talents in the best way possible. This article will focus on a relatively new career choice as professionally certified./licensed sign language interpreters. My own entry into interpreting was presaged by having Deaf parents. As a person who has some hearing as well as a fluent command of the English language, I often "interpreted" for them and their friends. Previous careers as an actor and a public speaker both contributed skills useful to interpreting. Since I am based in the United States, I will explain the process we have here for becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI), the uses of CDI's, the importance of this to the interpreting process as well as it is importance to the interpreting profession as a whole.
Perhaps the first reaction by many people, deaf and hearing alike, is one of perplexity: how can deaf people be effective intrerpreters if they cannot hear? It is assumed that the ability to hear is the crucical aspect of interpreting. Instead of focusing on the auditory aspect, let's look at another skill : a native understanding of sign language and Deaf culture. In nearly every instance of spoken language interpreting, the interpreter's native language is the language "minority", i.e., a Spanish/English interpreter may be equally fluent in both languages, but Spanish is probably the primary language. With the exeption of sign language interpreters who have deaf parents (Codas), nearly all interpreters acquired sign language as a second language. There are numerous instances where having a native acquisition of sign language can be a distinct advantage to the interpreting process.
- Platorfm interpreting-often easier on the recipients eyes due to a more "natural" structure and pace.
- International interpreting-being more visually oriented allows for quicker use of iconic imagery and classifiers.
- Legal interpreting-the ability to bring careful nuance to finely parsed language usage and a sharper eye for the nuances expressed in answers that are signed.
- Deaf-blind interpreting- the ability to process visual language from one user to a nother, especially with regard to sign choices for one-handed tactile signing.
- Text translations
- And crucially, the ability to understand better those people who's own sign language is not clear due to reasons ranging from it being acquired as a second sign language (foreign-born Deaf), no rformal sign language exposure (home signs) to neurological processing factors.
There are some examples and should not be taken as a comprehensive list of areas of expertise. We are limited only by our lack of imagination. My own specialities are int he areas of deaf-blind, medical, trillingual and community interpreting.
Language competency is not the only area impacting successful interpreting. Another crucial component is how culture affects language usage as well as being able to explain aspects of one culture to the other: what we call cross-cultural medication. This requires that deaf people who wish to become interpreters must first understand majoriity.minority cultureal relationships, explore honestly how we are impacted by these dynamics, look at how the use of language often affect power dynamics and reconcile these in the context of doing proessional work. It is equally important to remember that simply being bilingually and biculturally fluent aren't enough. Interpreters must become conversant in their areas of specialty through training, experience and teaming.
Here in the United States there is only one national organization that certifies Deaf Interpreters. That is the Registry of INterpreters for ther Deaf, Inc (RID,) This cerification was established only a few years ago, when the use of Deaf interpreters was becoming more prevalent and helps to ensure professional standards. RID has developed an intensive test, which is psychometrically valid, that comes in two parts. The first is a written test with multiple choice answers the test one's knowledge of the profession, the Code of Ethics, interpreting models, etc. Once this portion is passed, there is a performance test that is videotaped and sent to raters across the country. When that protion is passed as well, one become CDI. RID requires that we maintain our certification through continuing education credits that we earn. There are numerous workshops given across the country on various aspects of interpreting as well as biannual conferences, which include workshops and intensive tracks on specific topics.
More and more these days, Deaf interpreters are actively involved in leading these workshops. Some are geared to other Deaf interpreters, some focus on specific areas (teaming, International Sign language, Deaf-blind interpreting, etc.) And some focus on fostering an open dialogue between deaf and hearin ginterpreters. This one area where we deaf people can benefitr fomr the expertise of our hearing colleagues, many of whom have been working in this field for over 25 years. They bring a wealth of knowledge of interpreting process methods, ethnics, cross-cultural medicating and team dynamics that enhance the interpeting profession. In turn, we bring a wealth of knowledge of our language use, our understandin gof ethnics from a Deaf perspective and a greater understanding of language and power dynamics that also enhance the profession. Working together, we can continue to elevate the standards of sign language interpreting, which in turn, elevates the participation and perception of deaf people worldwife. This ultimately enriches our human rights as Deaf people.
Lewis Merkin is currently a staff interpretr at both the Helen Keller National Center in Sands Point, NY and for the New York City Department of Education.
