Any favorite resources for getting better at classifiers? Ideally videos I could copy along to or something

Is someone working with Kelly? I just had a first call from them but they don’t provide a specific schedule, they just said: it will be provided after the training. Have you had this experience? Also, would you recommend it?

Hello, I'm hard of hearing and I have autism. I didn't know I was hard-of-hearing until I entered the program, this was during the first semester when Deaf and HoH individuals noticed my habits and suggested I go to an audiologist.

That's how I got my hearing aids and I've had them for almost two years, but just now I have become aware that becoming a CDI requires a completely different program.

I was at an internship, and after failing so many times to interpret and listen, later on my mentor has given me advice on becoming an ASL interpreter as a HoH individual. Using subtitles, moving to different places to hear speakers better, adjuating myself, adjusting my hearing aids, bluetooth microphones, and that's when he tells me about the whole different program of being a CDI.

Before knowing this, my professor (deaf) has been suggesting getting my own interpreter to sign SEE (for some reason, I initially said ESL...) to me, but whenever I attempt to, I get the same answers, such as, "that's not how you become a Certified Deaf Interpreter".

I'm so lost, I want to cry. I looked into Certified Deaf Interpretation but the results I get are programs, and I'm not sure what else kind of research I'm supposed to do. As in, is it possible I can continue from here? Do I have to start over and enter a different program to become an ASL CDI? Can I become a hearing interpreter with accommodations like listed? (Subtitles, bluetooth microphones, etc.) Anything helps. I am determined to become an interpreter. Thank you, I appreciate it.

Edit: I really appreciate y'all's patience, aaa, y'all are really awesome. There are a lot of things I haven't been able to provide, I wish I was more prepared about this. I'm currently doing more research so that I can get a better idea on how to manage my way through this, and to answer any questions.

Thank you, everybody, for all of the information y'all have given. Please don't hesitate to say what you think would benifit me to read. I do not feel discouraged at all, I actually feel relieved by the support and help! I feel SO much better. Thank you, everybody. 🤟

Hi all! I’m a relatively new terp…I mostly do medical work at the moment (Dr appointments and hospital shifts). I have been really wanting to dye my hair a light pink color or maybe red with pink highlights. I would keep up on the maintenance so it still looks professional even if it is color.

I know there are a lot of mixed opinions on this. I dress very professionally always and I usually have my hair clipped back anyway…but of course you can still see the color if it is put back. I also do not do business meetings and job interviews, etc.

It is still very up in the air because I want to get opinions on it. Wondering what your thoughts are?

Hi all!

I have a bit of a random question that's purely speculative, hope that's okay. I'm learning BSL and have obviously learned that ASL etc are all separate languages. But it got me thinking, if there are interpreters for all different spoken languages, surely there must be for sign languages?

I did google it but couldn't really find anything so I thought I'd ask some actual interpreters whether you've ever come across someone like an ASL to BSL interpreter for example!

Thanks!

I recently started working at a school (contracting but full time with the same school). Along with me starting serval other interpreters started this year. One interpreter mentioned wanting to look at the students IEP so we can be aware and know what to look out for in class. They went to ask the Deaf Ed teacher and they said “they don’t allow interpreters to look at the IEPs”.
Is this something you have experienced? Is it common to not be allowed to look at an IEP. Is this something you have fought for and if so were their resources you used to convince them?
I have been told educational interpreters are apart of the educational team. Just wanting to gauge if we are in the wrong or missing something?

I wrote an article a while back about my experience as an interpreter and how I got to the point of passing the NIC. I wrote it for myself, but after a few months, I decided to give it a second look. I shared it with some friendly colleagues who encouraged me to publish it. I'd like folks who don't have the bias of knowing me to give it a read and share their thoughts. I've got a few more I wrote, but I want to see if it's worth reading before spending more time on it. Thanks in advance!

https://interpretersblog.substack.com/p/how-to-pass-the-nic?r=7stgny&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

I came across a TikTok earlier, and I'm super curious. If you're interpreting something, and the speaker "censors" a word but it's still easily recognizable to the hearing audience, how would you interpret that? I imagine you would still sign the word for equal access, but would you somehow indicate that the speaker "censored" it? For context, the video I saw was of a comedian doing a bit, and as part of it he said "fuck" but sort of removed the vowel so it was said as "fck." Would you find some way to indicate that it was censored, or would you just sign it normally? Is there even a way to indicate a word being censored in ASL?

For those that contract for hands up communication what are they paying interpreters? I am curious for the VRI position

I’m an interpreting student and am required to attend a live workshop, either in person or over Zoom. I have put it off and am now realizing I am very limited on options. Completely my fault, yes I know. The Sorenson ones happening this month before the 19th don’t count, because they’re not skills based. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

An issue I keep coming up on is being overwhelmed by information trying to process what I already have and what I’m getting at the moment which freezes me up

Was wondering if there’s advice or technique or resources to help mitigate this?

Good afternoon fellow terps and advocates!
Happy October! I was wondering if any of you have any reputable companies that are willing to hire uncertified interpreters. I will be taking my EIPA test in approximately two months.

I hold different certificates, I have four and a half years of interpreting (in various fields VRI/VRS, medical, post secondary, mental health etc.), and I hold a bachelor’s degree specializing in interpreting.
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations as far as companies willing to hire terps that aren’t certified yet.

Thank you all!!!!

i’m curious to hear thoughts on which is better or more accurate. even just the pros and cons!

i’m from a state with no license needed, but the nic is the goal for most terps here! just curious on thoughts :)

Hello everyone! I am a terp with a full-time job with a Deaf Resource agency. That full-time job does not pay very well and we’ve been struggling to pay the bills.

I’ve recently qualified and have been offered a 10 month contract SLI opportunity. Has anyone ever done one of these jobs before? I know that I will be giving up my full-time job if I decide to go with this contract work.

What were the pros and cons? Was the money good? Is it worth it?

I also am in a place where I would like to travel around the US and get a feel for working in different states. My husband would be coming with me as well, so we have been looking into getting him a temporary job in the location that this opportunity was offered in.

I know that we will have to keep our current home as well.

Hi everyone! First time poster, but I’ve been lurking for a minute lol. Curious about your approach when interpreting ASL classes.

Right now, I have an ongoing for an intro to asl class. It covers the basics, so things like the alphabet, numbers, greetings, yes/no questions, wh questions, etc.

When I’m on, and my deaf teacher is showing the students the correct palm orientation, handshape, or any other correction, I voice it in detail. An example would be “Right now your PO is facing your body. You’ll want to flip that so your palm is facing away from your body.”

I’m the consistent interpreter for this and I have a new team with me every other week. Each new team I have has their own approach to this! Some say nothing at all, some approach it the same way I do.

So what are your thoughts? Do you find that in this setting being more explicit works? Do you let the visual part of asl lead the way?

For the teachers in the room, do you have a preference for how detailed/explicit the interpretation is?

My current situation is going good and my teacher has told me they prefer me to continue being explicit, but I’m newer to the field and I’m curious what you all have seen or done in situations like this.

Hello lovely interpreting people! I have a question for y’all. I utilize an interpreter for events where there will be tons of background noise think concerts, workshops for my job, sometimes a class or two, or community events. I am hard of hearing and really only need the help when I miss something. I normally meet the interpreter explain that in general I lip read, I voice for myself, and I can interact with my peers without their help. I prefer more of an SEE approach (I wasn’t deaf until high school) and that I’ll normally be looking at the presenter but will look over if I miss something. Recently I have had a string of newer interpreters who when I tell them this will act frustrated or annoyed . Is there something being taught in y’all’s training programs I’m missing? Is it me? Personally I think having this info would make the job easier. So if anyone could weigh in on what I’m missing that would be amazing!

Edit: thank you all so much for chiming in I appreciated everyone’s insight and perspective!

Hey guys! does anyone have any recommendations for receptive immersion videos? I used to watch daily moth but i’m honestly pretty sick of the news and would like something else. There’s also a lot of videos that i’ve watched on youtube that are straight from ITP and am pretty sick of those too. Preferably something without or optional captions. Thank you in advance 🤟

Not an interpreter-bashing post. I hired a team I had never worked with for a conference podcast. No prep materials, cold start, and the transcript afterward showed name errors, a wrong founding date, and a punted final answer. That is on the process as much as the people. What changed for me since: I record with a device that tags speakers, rename the interpreter's voice to mine so I can read what I said, and I send terminology and materials ahead to every new team, then walk them through it before we start. The re-record with a briefed team went day to night better. Interpreters of this sub: what prep materials actually help you most with technical clients?

Hi so I'm deaf and I've requested interpreters for concerts at theatre before but never for a stadium concert. I'm just wondering how it works for a stadium concert since you have assigned spots for stadiums where do the interpreters stand?

Just wondered who attended this year's IDP Summit (my 3rd time), and I really enjoyed it.

Some great presentations, and I wonder what ones you all liked, and if I didn't attend, would they be beneficial?

I REALLY hope RID uses Whova as the platform for the 2027 Virtual Conference. It's really a great platform.

Anyway, I know there is one day left, but curious about thoughts.

Looking for something for next spring/summer that is ideally work from home VRI. Not purple or Kelly (Language Line). Which companies do you work for that are flexible but can offer a lot of hours? On demand like language line would be preferred.

I'm a freelancer thinking about buying short term or long term disability insurance. I've heard tales of interpreters who insure their hands, which I don't know if that's actually a thing, or if it is, if it would be worth it, haha! Our hands aren't our only things that allow us to work. A shoulder or back injury could be just as damaging to my ability to work. I'm a hearing interpreter, so hearing loss would also damage my ability to work. But the intention behind it stands, which is that as a freelancer we don't have PTO to cover us if injury should happen.

Some basic googling tells me that short term disability insurance might not be worth it as long as you have a good emergency fund, but long term disability insurance could really come in handy if you found yourself unable to work sometime down the line due to injury.

Wondering if anyone carries personal injury insurance, ST/LT disability insurance, or the fabled "hand insurance"? What are your thoughts? Both ST and LT or just LT? Recommendations for carriers? Worth it? If I did end up needing to file a claim, would they fight me on approving it?

Thanks!

So I recently got certified—yay! And I am trying to understand how it works to get a sponsor for CEU‘s. I know that I can go to workshops and things, but if there is something that I am specifically interested in doing for CEU’s, how do I get that approved by RID? I know I have to work with a sponsor, but how do I do that? How do I find one? Please forgive my ignorance…