Chapter 6: Oppression, Power, interpreters

Question 1

DPN

Answer 1

Deaf President Now 1988 Gallaudet University

beginning of significant political activism

Question 2

Impacts of Oppression on Interpreters

Answer 2

Deaf people have life-long effects of oppression
which impacts interpreters
witness oppression and also experience backlash from deaf toward hearing

Question 3

Humor as tool

Answer 3

minorities often used humor against discrimination

Deaf jokes with hearing punchlines

Question 4

Vicarious trauma

Answer 4

trauma that results from observing another person’s traumatic experience
can lead to compassion fatigue

Question 5

Myth of Neutrality

Answer 5

Deaf need to be free to express their own beliefs and feelings– should not contend with opinions or reactions of interpreter
BUT
Impossible to be neutral
Empathy is required and healthy
acknowledge effect work is having on interpreter

Question 6

Power implications

Answer 6

interpreter is very powerful position
often only person in room who know what is happening in both languages and cultures
learn how to use power with wisdom and prudency
TERPS ARE NOT EXPERTS ON DEAF CULTURE

Question 7

Advocate

Answer 7

• fosters equality by refusing to take part in systemic institutional oppression
• speaks on issues on behalf of others, redistributes privilege

Question 8

Ally

Answer 8

-supports Deaf individuals in their own struggle for liberation

Question 9

Taking credit/leadership roles

Answer 9

NEVER take credit for oppressed group’s process of liberation, refuse to act as spokesperson
Do not take leadership roles, rather work with and support oppressed group members

Question 10

Interpreters as Eternal Students

Answer 10

inquisitive, observant and ever humbled by reality of how much we don’t know