Comments on: Oh Mon Dieu! Interpreter Faux Pas!

By: Paotie

Paotie — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:05:23 +0000

Regarding Rob Rice’s comment:

I couldn’t agree with you more. In some states in the US, legislative mandates have been requested by deaf groups, primarily Commissions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CDHH), to require all interpreters to be licensed.

In New Mexico, there’s a huge controversy surrounding licensure because the ONLY reason the CDHH is requesting licensure is because of a perception that all interpreters in New Mexico are performingly inadequately or with substandards. Additionally, the CDHH of New Mexico claims that 95% of all Deaf people do not complain about their interpreters to interpreter regulatory bodies, such as the RID in sufficient numbers, presumably because the CDHH thinks Deaf people are too stupid.

Ultimately, it’s the Deaf person’s responsibility to make sure that the interpreter has a good understanding and idea of what is or isn’t expected. But, in the US, the conventional wisdom is that Deaf people by and large are too stupid to know how to seek redress from interpreters who perform inadequately.

So, if 95% of Deaf people don’t file complaints with the RID, for example, then what does that suggest? Maybe the interpreters aren’t really performing that badly. Maybe, like in the situation with the Fiasco in France, the problem isn’t so much the interpreter, but the Deaf person. Maybe it’s a problem of logistics as well, since perhaps no other interpreters were available for the French lass to work with prior to the competition.

Either way, I have little sympathy for the Deaf woman. It’s a cruel world sometimes, and if you venture outside and have difficulties, then welcome to the real world. She tried and did well, and to that, I am very proud of her efforts.

Thanks.

:o)

Paotie

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 01:49:31 +0000

I applaud Sophie speaking up when she realize the interpreter who cannot do her job interpreting for her, I’m sure Sophie put the interpreter on the spot making her realize the interpreter needs to go back and learn how to improve on her receptive skills.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 01:44:30 +0000

I am sorry, I do understand the points everyone is trying to make, we weren’t all there but I do not think it’s Ms. Limousin’s fault, I am sure she was very busy running around rehearsing for her pagent and did not have the time to worry about how qualified the interpreter is except she used her trust to the agency to hire the best qualified interpreters. Do not be fooled by “reputed agency” because many times agencies would hire non-certified or certified by luck interpreters who cannot interpret for crap, I have met many interpreters who sign fluently but receptive of ASL was horrible! So I think she was unfortunate by getting an interpreter who cannot comprehend ASL well enough.
I haven’t seen the interpreter but they should have had 2 interpreters to begin with! My experience is that many hire 2 interpreters to take turns signing to avoid carpel tunnel syndrome and tired hands and etc. and also signing and vocal support in case an interpreter missed what the deaf or hearing person was trying to say.
Too bad there was only 1 interpreter! If they had a 2nd, the 2nd interpreter would have corrected the 1st interpreter, I have had that experience where the 2nd interpreter corrected the first interpreter and she was very grateful. TEAMWORK is what was missing.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 20:25:06 +0000

To Robert.

I’m very sorry that the interpreter treated you that way at the doctor’s office. He was VERY rude and unprofessional.

I work as an interpreter (I’m Hearing) in Michigan. I too have problems working with some interpreters because of their unprofessional and egostical attitude (when I have to team with them.) I understand what you mean about being “black-listed.” One Deaf client of mine, no one wants to work with her because of personal reasons. I work with her because I understand her situation and she now requests me.

I am still working towards RID certification…I’m hoping to be a “top” interpreter some day soon!

Sincerely,

Jennifer

By: pam

pam — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:54:42 +0000

This whole incident has a pretty funny side to it…Someone might have lost the opportunity to become Miss France (allegedly) because of an interpreter-big deal.
Interpreting IS a tough job, regardless of what languages and cultures you deal with. Interpreters make mistakes, some are just incompetent or inexperienced, and some are just not in a position to “argue” with their employer.
Just think about those interpreters who work for the EU, or the WTO, NATO, etc., for example. Even I have noticed that things get misinterpreted now and then.The consequences may not be as dramatic as someone being precluded from winning a beauty pageant, which may be why we never hear about those things. After all, we are only talking about some of the most powerful organizations in the world.

Cheers!

By: kaybee

kaybee — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 19:39:07 +0000

prescisement! i was looking for that, “nothing ‘inspirational’”. thanks :)

By: David Stuckless

David Stuckless — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 04:35:17 +0000

RLM, I’m so envious.

What do you do for a living that allows you so much time to respond to blogs?

I mean, I have a flexible job, am single (no one to ask me what I’m doing up so late reading blogs), and have a decent amount of free time. But man, RLM, you’re on this and every other blog that gets posted on DeafDC.

Congrats and all the respect in the world for keeping the bloggers honest and opining on them all. But don’t get fired at work for spending so much time on DeafDC.

Great post though.

By: A Deaf Pundit

A Deaf Pundit — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 02:35:55 +0000

Hmm. I don’t know much about ballet, but she seems okay. Nothing “inspirational” about it to me. :P

~ Deaf Pundit

By: kaybee

kaybee — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 02:27:30 +0000

It’s a nice piece, thanks for the link. But at the time and today, I still think there are more capable deaf dancers, ballet and otherwise. HW used basic ballet steps. I’m speaking for myself from experience and I’m not the audience wowing at a dancer who cannot hear. back to miss france now :)

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 00:40:48 +0000

Do not undermine the ability of those who manage to excel although they are few in number. We could have more far better interpreters than we are seeing now. Where does it begin with? Interpreting Training Programs and Interpreting agencies. Many of them are not surrounded in an ASL-rich environment with proper ASL models. They often put money above the needs of deaf members.

I feel the interpreting profession needs to be monitored closely and strictly by the government, who works closely with a deaf task force. That would also mean weeding out incompetent interpreters. What set interpreters in the Deaf community apart from other language minorities interpreters is that they fall under ADA, thus it’s a federal law, and our “disability” relies on communication AND language access — a basic human right. Those 2nd language speakers (hearing people) can escape from the horror of relying on interpreters by learning to speak English whereas it’s not an option for many deaf people.

You say:

“…always - make an effort to meet with their professional and certified interpreter in advance to ensure that expectations are set, dialogue is shared and that both are comfortable with one another’s style of communication.”

I’ve heard about this countless of times, not only for stage but also everything else from hospital to court to school to academic, etc. The interpreters or the agencies better pay those deaf people for their time helping prepare them ahead of time. I find it annoying that deaf people are expected to sacrifice their life and time at no cost while their hearing counterpart makes a living off it. It is getting real old.

I agree that people are human beings, but don’t mistaken incompetence with being a human when some interpreters shouldn’t be in the profession in the first place. The interpreter failed to understand Miss Limousin, not only one time but several times. Miss Limousin has become a victim by the agency, interpreter and the organizer.

I wonder how would this be if had the agency send a deaf interpreter to team with a hearing interpreter.