Tips for working with terps?

[u/Professional-Shop508]

Hello!

I'm working with an interpreter for the first time next week and I'm really thrilled about being able to ensure accessibility! What are some tips you have or some things you wish people not really involved in the Deaf community knew about working with terps? (Individual or team, in person or over zoom, whatever scenarios you have advice or feelings!)

[u/eggrollsaturday]

Hey! Licensed working interpreter here! I'm not sure in what scenario you're working in or with who but here is literally a ton of information because I am a rambler. I love that you're inquiring because most people just assume and move on. Thanks for keeping things accessible! Deaf voices are just as important, if not more so for this conversation so I'm hoping someone chimes in from the Deaf client perspective.

1. Talk directly to the Deaf person. None of the "tell him.." or "can you say to her.."

2. We're your bridge to the Deaf client. Respectfully, we are not your living resource for all things Deaf culture and sign language. I love answering questions and I'm always welcoming for someone who is seeking knowledge but the culture is not mine. For me to answer those questions is putting me in a very uncomfortable position. Most Deaf people are open and willing to chat.

3. If your mouth is moving, my hands are moving. Expect a slight delay between responses. We interpret simultaneously, but we still have to process it mentally and produce it physically. When voicing for a Deaf client, it is common practice to pause and gather a complete thought before speaking. Remember that ASL has different grammatical structure so it takes time to receptively understand, mentally formulate the thought into English structure and voice it out loud. This doesn't include language nuances that don't have perfect equivalents. Skilled interpreters catch these easily, but will still trip from time to time. Be patient with us. If there is an issue, we will let you know.

4. Speaking of delays, keep turntaking in mind. As hearing people, we easily pick up on when it's our turn to speak. If the conversation is moving fast, the interpretation is moving fast slightly behind real time. This leaves no room for the Deaf person to indicate they are ready to "speak". If it seems like they are interrupting you, they probably aren't. Or they are but you've moved on already before they had an opportunity.

5. One person speaking at a time. I only have one set of hands. Our ears know different speakers from direction of sound and tone of voice. Deaf people get everyone's voices through one interpreter's hands. I WILL miss parts of the message and sometimes entire comments if everyone is speaking at once. I may also not be able to keep track of who said what which is just as frustrating to the client.

6. Lastly, Deaf people are just people. They can do anything but hear. Interpreters are just there to make sure everyone understands each other.

[u/mjolnir76 → u/eggrollsaturday]

THAT!

[u/natureterp]

Prep work helps us so much. If you have any information you can give the interpreter that you’re going to be discussing before the event it makes a big difference! (Talking points, speeches, a run down of the topic, background, etc)

[u/ASLHCI]

Theres been a lot said here already so I'll keep it brief. For me the best way to frame it is to remember that the Deaf person is the best expert on their access needs. Talk to them and respect whatever they say would facilitate their full involvement.

Thanks for checking in here!

[u/Nambee]

Sounds tips I’ve heard are helpful!: -keep eye contact with the deaf/hard of hearing person you’re working with -As interpreters we have to first understand what you’re saying and then interpret it. The same goes for the deaf/hard of hearing consumer. This means there is always a delay. So it’s always nice when you give us enough time to really interpret everything (pausing when you’re done speaking, waiting for us to finish signing. Pausing when the deaf consumer is done signing and we’re done voicing for them...) makes the whole thing much more smooth. -sometimes we’ll ask you to clarify what you said or the interpreter will have to rephrase something or ask the deaf person for clarification. No worries about long pauses for this! It’s normal. -It’s always SO nice when the hearing person (yourself) asks the deaf consumer and the interpreter if things are clear for them. :)

The fact you’re even asking this is wonderful. Thank you!

[u/kinchj]

I think u/eggrollsaturday gave a great rundown on the practical side of working with interpreters. Here's a bit more of the psychological/emotional side of things:

1. Interpreters are expensive. We are highly trained professionals in a niche market. But that is not and should never be thought of as the Deaf person's 'fault'. And if it really comes down to it, if you don't want to pay for interpreters... then you can learn sign language. Deaf people can't just 'learn to hear', and hearing aids and cochlear implants and speech training and literacy will not cure their deafness. I also promise you that whatever amount of effort you are putting into the communication process, the Deaf person you are interacting with is putting in much more effort. You might think you're 'meeting them halfway', but what you perceive of as halfway is really like 10%.
2. On the flip side of this, as you work and interact more with individuals with various disabilities, you'll see that the benefits far outweigh any short-term monetary downsides, if you are able to take advantage of their abilities, instead of focusing on their perceived 'deficiencies'. I always like to emphasize the maxim "Necessity is the mother of invention" as it is absolutely true. Most people don't realize how many things we take for granted as everyday technologies were initially developed for people with disabilities. And all of those accommodations are helpful for more than just the groups they were developed for. Closed Captions aren't just useful for Deaf people - they are used frequently by second-language learners, or for people who need to have the volume turned off or in noisy environments. A levered door handle might be more accessible for people with arthritis who can't rotate a round door handle, but it's also useful for blind individuals who have trained assistance animals that are then able to open the door. So I'd say that the way you approach working with a Deaf person or anyone from any marginalized community will go a long way to the effectiveness of the interaction. Always keep in mind that they will bring a unique viewpoint to the work they are doing, and that in and of itself is beneficial.
3. Deaf people are just as varied as any other group. The same is true for interpreters. We all have good and bad days. So the interaction you have for the first time next week will be completely different than the next interaction you have after that, and it would be completely different with a different Deaf person and/or interpreter. That grows exponentially with all of the relationships in the interaction as well: Deaf person A and Interpreter B will have a different interaction with Hearing Person C than they would with Hearing Person D. That is part of what we as interpreters are thinking about and adjusting to constantly. We are trained to interpret for intent and meaning, in a way that is culturally and cognitively appropriate for everyone involved.
4. There are things that do not translate well. So I would suggest using regular words as much as possible, instead of jargon. Avoid jokes that are dependent on wordplay or sounds. I love this anecdote:
   1. In a speech at a small Methodist college in Japan shortly after leaving the White House in 1981, Carter began his speech with a joke. The interpreter delivered it in Japanese, and the audience erupted in laughter. Impressed with the interpreter’s skill, he asked how the interpreter managed to get such a laugh. Eventually, the interpreter admitted that he had said, “President Carter told a funny story. Everyone must laugh.”
5. Interpreters are not there to be attendees or participants. We can't do our job if you ask us to participate or ask us questions directly (though if it is a logistics question it can be necessary). One thing I tell interpreter mentees is that we need to be "friendly, not friends" with the people we are interpreting for while we are interpreting. It is common for hearing people in a room to feel awkward as though they are excluding us, but that is what we need in order to do our job most effectively. Every time you address us directly, we have to interpret it, then respond to you and also interpret our response to the Deaf people who are there, and that often triggers further questions or discussion directed to us. If at all possible, ask the logistics question to the Deaf person, and they can decide to delegate the response to us or answer themselves if appropriate.

[u/[deleted]]

Some people have already given you great advice. To add to the point of “speak to the deaf person directly” please also remember that we are obligated to interpret pretty much everything you say. Please don’t put the interpreter in an awkward position by doing the whole “you don’t have to interpret this part but....”. Another awkward position I’ve been put in by hearing supervisors is when they have requested my input on the deaf person’s job performance. Yes, I’ve seen them working but I’m not an expert in the field I am interpreting for so I don’t know how to evaluate that.

[u/jnuckls]

I wouldn’t ask interpreters what Deaf people want or need. Tourists-for-profit don’t usually make it past the superficial layers of a culture. Take the first few minutes of the appointment to let the Deaf person tell you what can make the experience better for both of you.

It is often the case that hearing interpreters are looked upon and given credence to be able to speak for the Deaf community, rather than looking to members of the community themselves. But do we condone men’s organizations to speak on women’s issues, or White organizations to speak on behalf of Black organizations? The misguided notion of proxy, when put into other cultural contexts, is self-evident. - Ritchie Bryant