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Introduction:

Interpreting is required when two people need to communicate but do not share the same language.  Interpreting between two (or more) languages can occur with spoken or sign languages.  Interpreters generally have a pair of languages they work between in any given situation based on their qualifications and experience but they may be required to work into and from other languages in their repertoire. ASL (insert ref) is the language of the Deaf community used throughout the US and Canada.   An ASL-English interpreter can be expected to work in situations where Deaf people need to communicate with non-deaf people or vice versa.  (See environments below).

American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural language in which 5 parameters: handshape, palm orientation, movement, location, and expressions/ non-manual markers are employed to communicate and exchange information within the Deaf Community. ASL utilizes rules of phonology, syntax, and morphology through visual methods. ASL is predominantly used in the United States and most of Anglophone Canada. ASL interpretation involves the rendering of a spoken or signed message into ASL or vice versa while maintaining the register and meaning of the source. Interpreters must understand the subject matter to be discussed, be able to transmit information with fluency and reliability, remove personal biases, and have an understanding of how to navigate a variety of social situations.

The role of ASL interpreters:

Environments / Domains where interpreters work

ASL interpreters operate in a range of environments, including but not limited to medical, legal, educational, vocational, mental health, community based engagements (weddings, funerals, etc) VRI (Video Remote Interpreting)

Training Programs

UPDATE THE FIGURES - LIST TRAINING PROGRAMS?

Code of Ethics

Interpreters who use signed and spoken languages can join organizations such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) to provide quality support to people who may require their services and further advance this line of work. The RID co-authored the ethical code of conduct for interpreters w/the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). This organization outlines this code of ethics for interpreters to allow them to be held accountable and create an environment of trust between them and their clients. There are 7 Tenets in their Ethical Code:

• Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
• Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
• Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
• Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
• Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
• Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
• Interpreters engage in professional development

There are 48 states with RID Chapters and representatives in Puerto Rico and District of Columbia, not including Delaware and Maryland.

Techniques utilized by interpreters: NAT

Individual interpreters:

Consecutive vs Simultaneous Interpreting:

Consecutive interpreting occurs when a time gap exists between the delivery of the source language to the moment the target language is delivered.  This could be measured in seconds or even minutes. Simultaneous interpreting on the other hand is considered to be more real time. Due to the auditory influence of spoken languages consecutive interpreting is often a preferred method of service provision however simultaneous interpreting for spoken languages was first successfully used at the Nuremberg trials (insert ref). This was in part due to the complexity of the event and the number of languages being used. Simultaneous interpreting in the context of ASL-English interpreting is much more common due to the different modalities of the languages being used.

Teams of interpreters:

The “Hot/Cold” seat arrangement:

This interpreting arrangement involves an interpreter sitting in front of the Deaf person/ people with another interpreter facing the “working” interpreter. The second interpreter’s role is to assist the “working” interpreter via the supplementation of information if needed. It is typical for interpreters in this arrangement to arrange when they will switch roles beforehand so as to ensure smooth transitions between their services.

The modified “Hot/Cold” seat arrangement:

This modified technique prompts interpreters to switch every time a different speaker speaks or signs. In a public presentation scenario, for example, one interpreter may interpret what the host of the event is saying then switch with a partner when a guest speaker presents.  

The “On/Off” seat arrangement:

In this arrangement, “working” interpreters work for as long as they have decided each shift will be per interpreter. Once they have finished their allotted time, they can have “off” time. This time away from interpreting can involve leaving the room and doing private things such as texting so long as it is unobtrusive. The rationale behind this technique is that interpreters are allowed a mental and physical break in order to ensure high-quality work during their rotation.

The “Deaf-focused” arrangement:

To effectively explain this technique, imagine that interpreters have been assigned to assist a Deaf student in a college lecture setting. The “working” interpreter will communicate the topics and subject matter of the lecture whereas the second interpreter will focus more closely on the Deaf individual, working to support them as needed. An example of their role would be to locate information that a lecturer makes reference to in the student’s notes as they are kept informed of the speaker’s content by the “working” interpreter. In a situation with more than one Deaf student, the secondary interpreter can also work to clarify concepts and answer questions.

The “Double” arrangement:

This technique involves two interpreters sitting in front of the Deaf person/ people. This arrangement does not involve switching on and off every set amount of minutes and, instead, the interpreters are assigned to certain people or groups of people. For example, one interpreter may interpret for a lecturer, whereas the other interprets for audience members/ students.

The “Deaf-Centered” arrangement:

If the interpreters assigned to a job are not at the same level of fluency, the interpreter who is less proficient and/or less qualified will serve as the support to the primary interpreter. If the primary interpreter needs a rest, the secondary interpreter will fill in for them so as not to disrupt the Deaf person’s/ audience’s experience.

WILL ADD REFERENCES LATER

RESOURCES:

A SIGN OF RESPECT III:

“                If a team of interpreters is employed, how should the duties between the interpreters be divided?  Does the Deaf participant have any preference?  What would be the optimal arrangement for the Deaf person?  The division of the interpreter tasks could be done in the following ways:

             The typical “Hot/Cold” seat arrangement:  The “working” interpreter sits in front of the Deaf person with the second interpreter facing the working interpreter to support her by supplying information as needed.  They switch at prearranged intervals which are typically 20 minutes.

             The modified “Hot/Cold” seat arrangement:  The switch occurs every time there is a different speaker.  For example, in a typical conference setting, the facilitator would welcome the participants and handle some housekeeping details, taking about five or ten minutes.  The facilitator would then would turn the floor over to a colleague who would use the next five minutes or so to introduce the keynote presenter.  Then the keynote address would commence lasting  forty minutes or so.  Instead of switching every twenty minutes from start to finish, the interpreters would switch every time a new person comes on the stage.  In this situation, if there are more than two interpreters working at the conference, one interpreter would be responsible for the welcome address, the second interpreter would interpret the introduction, and the third interpreter would do the entire keynote address. This allows for a more natural and smooth transition between interpreters/speakers.

             The “On/Off” seat arrangement.  The “working” interpreter works for a specific amount of time that has been agreed upon by the interpreters.  The “off” interpreter can do whatever they want, including leaving the room, texting privately, or the like, in an unobtrusive manner.  This allows the “off” interpreter a mental and physical break to be fully energized to work during their rotation.

             The “Deaf-focused” arrangement.  While the “working” interpreter takes the major responsibility for communicating the lecture, for example, the second interpreter focuses completely on the Deaf participant and provides support as needed/desired.  For example, when the professor refers to specific page or item in the book while lecturing (or a pastor referring to a specific verse in the bible, or a chairperson referring to a specific item on the handout), the second interpreter assumes the responsibility of locating the information on the document and pointing it out.  This is done to make it easier for the Deaf person to quickly read the information while at the same time maintain focus on the interpreter instead of trying to locate the printed information and missing the interpreted message in the process.  If there are two or more Deaf participants, the second interpreter is also available to clarify any confusion a Deaf person might have (e.g., not catching the fingerspelled word or not understanding a regional sign used by the interpreter), allowing the “working” interpreter continue interpreting without any interruption.

             The “Double” arrangement.  Both interpreters work together to support the experience/participation of the Deaf person.  Instead of switching every 20 minutes or so, both interpreters remain seated in front of the Deaf person and are assigned to interpret for specific individuals in the room.  For example, if the Deaf person is in a situation where there are many active participants with a group leader managing the discussion, one interpreter can be assigned to interpret for the group leader throughout the session, with the second interpreter handling everyone else in the room.  If there is no group leader with everyone participating actively, the interpreters could switch every time there is a new speaker.  This allows the Deaf participant to see different voices throughout the session rather than one voice every 20 minutes.  

             The “Deaf-centered” arrangement.  If one interpreter is clearly not as qualified as the other, this interpreter remains in the support role throughout the assignment. The second interpreter can take over and work when the primary interpreter needs a break.  Once the primary interpreter is rested and ready to resume, this primary interpreter assumes their role once again and the second interpreter continues their support role.  An alternative with the second interpreter is for both the Deaf participant and the primary interpreter to leave the room together for a much-needed rest… a mental and physical rest for the interpreter and a mental and eye rest for the Deaf person.  They return when they are ready to do so.  The second interpreter continues to support the primary interpreter by providing feed as needed.”

Code of Professional Conduct – Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (rid.org)

Topics in Signed Language Interpreting: Theory and practice - Google Books

DEAF EYES ON INTERPRETING (BOOK):

https://buprimo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ALMA_BOSU151969439830001161&context=L&vid=BU&lang=en_US&search_scope=default_scope&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&isFrbr=true&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,Deaf%20Eyes%20on%20Interpreting&offset=0