YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

WHERE DO INTERPRETERS WORK?

Any time a hearing person  who doesn't sign interacts with a Deaf person who does, interpreters  may be found there.

Examples include:  academic settings at all levels, press conferences,  depositions, job trainings, staff meetings,  medical appointments, weddings, funerals, celebrations, camps....

Interpreters provide communication between all parties in both languages.

 WHO DO I TALK TO?

When interacting through an interpreter, speak directly to the person you are communicating with, not to the interpreter.

Interpreters are meant to remain as neutral as possible so that the two parties can talk to each other as they might if they shared a language. 

IS ASL UNIVERSAL?

Just as every country has its own spoken language(s), so too, each country has its own signed language(s).  

Signed languages develop and change over time just as spoken languages do and are rooted in the history, culture, geography and politics of each society in which they live.

Signed languages are passed on from one generation to the next just as spoken languages are.  

Hearing parents of Deaf children often do not learn to sign and in those cases, Deaf children are given their language by the Deaf community.

SHOULD I TIP MY INTERPRETER?

As professionals, interpreters set rates factoring in any degrees we hold,  years of experience, number and level of certifications and the standards in our field and bill accordingly.

Since interpreters are not part of the "service industry," etiquette does not call for tipping.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIGNING AND INTERPRETING?

Think of speaking Spanish to your friend vs telling your other friend what she said.

That's interpreting.

ARE INTERPRETERS TEACHERS?

No.

Interpreter training has nothing to do with teaching.

Teachers obtain degrees in teaching and interpreters obtain degrees in interpreting and must test to become nationally certified and locally licensed.

ARE INTERPRETERS EXPERTS IN "HEARING LOSS," AUDIOLOGY, HEARING AIDS,  CAPTIONING OR SPEECH THERAPY?

No.

Audiology, hearing devices, captioning and speech therapy are largely irrelevant to most interpreting work.

Interpreters deal with languages and ensuring communication between people who do and do not sign.