Interpreting Flashcards
How Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals self-identify in today’s society
Deaf deaf Deafblind or deaf blind heard of hearing or hearing impaired dDeaf dDDb (DeafBlind community and their unique culture)
Interpreting at a “Superior” Level
Functioning at a superior level is the competence and understanding of both the SL and TL, including fluency of the languages, communication and cultural norms, the understanding of one’s individuality and life experiences that could affect your performance (positively or negatively), and the commitment to continuous learning.
Common Interpreter Characteristics
- Self-confidence
- Flexibility
- Respectful
- Committed to Lifelong Learning
- Education
- Introversion or Extraversion
- Realistic
Effective cross cultural communication
Requires the understanding of how people from different cultural backgrounds perceive the world around them and how they communicate.
Perception of “The Ugly American” vs Interpreter
“The Ugly American” coined in 1958 was a pejorative term used to refer to perceptions of the arrogant, thoughtless, culturally ignorant and ethnocentric behavior of American citizens visiting abroad (Burdick & Lederer). This term is associated with tourists with limited experience and knowledge of international areas they visit.
Interpreters are expected to be held at a higher standard of that of a “tourist”, and to exhibit advanced language skills with cultural and social knowledge.
Communication norms
Are how people communicate on a daily basis; it is the adherence to informal internalized rules that shape the behaviors and actions of individuals, helping them know how to interact with people inside and outside their cultural group. These Normas help a community create relational bonds and provide boundaries as a means of social control
Tacit culture
Tacit culture can be described as the actions and behaviors that understood or implied without being stated. Though the very actions and behaviors may be visible to everyone, they ate not likely to be understood by outsiders.
E. Hall (1989) explains that this lack of understanding is because, “ ll cultures are blind to other cultures, and especially so towards those within their own midst”(p.298).
Ethnocentrism
Typically, an unconscious belief that one’s own culture as the “norm” or as the “standard” by which we measure what we consider to be “right”. This belief can be a significant obstacle in cross cultural interactions, lacking the kind of empathy required to effectively communicate with people from different cultures and beliefs.
Low-Context culture
The cultural norm of communicating ones thoughts, ideas and information primarily through the words of a language, resulting in expressing oneself in explicit and direct ways: typical of low context cultures.
“calling things as they see them”
dDeaf culture by its very nature appear to be a low context culture, the dDeaf community are very direct and factual “blunt”
High-Context culture
The cultural norm of communicating one’s thoughts, ideas and information using politeness, subtlety, hinting, and nonverbal ford of communication; typical of high context cultures
avoid direct expression of their feelings
address the issue with subtle redirections
dDeaf community considered to be high-context communicators with language
Reflective Practitioner
An interpreter needs to predict, reflect on, and analyze their work of interpreting to identify areas that need to be practiced and improved for future assignments,
Having an open-mind to feedback, critic, and consistently improving your skills snd the decision making process while interpreting is critical for improvement.
Culture
People have their own way of being- ways of greeting people and ways of showing appreciation to another person when they show friendship.
Ghostwriter
dDeaf individuals in the community who were able to facilitate between people who could hear and people who were dDeaf, they would often function as the community interpreter/translator reading documents and translate it into sign language and would often help write a response.
Gatekeeping
This term is the vetting process of dDeaf people used to decide who was allowed or was not allowed to be an interpreter or translator.
Language Broker
This term is used to describe those who provided written, and sometimes spoken, translations. “Language brokers facilitate communication between two linguistically and culturally different parts. Unlike formal interpreters and translators, brokers mediate, rather than merely transmit, information” (Tse, 1996)
Transliterating
This refers to the rendering of spoken language (such as English) and context languages (such as American Sign Language) in a verbatim manner.
“Deaf Way”
relationships of interpreters and dDeaf community members were based on the “Deaf way” of showing reciprocity. The payment that money couldn’t buy would be the welcoming of interpreters into the dDeaf club and having a dDeaf mentor who would informally tutor the interpreter in the “Deaf way”
Importance of dDeaf clubs
a gathering place for “people of the eye” of all ages and all vocations to enjoy one another company with people who shared their “way of being” (culture)
The Core Value Statement of CASLI
states that individuals have the right to interpreting services and the those services should be rendered by persons who demonstrate excellence in ethical conduct, professional behavior and linguistic proficiency.
The first sign language interpreters in North America
Children of dDeaf parents or siblings
Teachers of the Deaf
Members of the clergy
When was Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf founded and why?
What was the going rate for interpreters?
1965
Publishing a registry of interpreters
Investigating evaluation and certification systems
Educating the public about interpreting services
Voluntary and on a as needed basis
CASE & PSE
Conceptually Accurate Signed English & Pidgin Signed English - theses are synonyms for the same method of signing; both combine parts of two languages, thus they do not completely represent the grammar of either one.
They are signing structures that blend ASL signs with English syntax. This includes initialized signs, weak adherence to the grammatical structure of English. The goal of PSE/CASE is to be conceptually accurate but often the signer my not always achieve the goal.
CASLI or CASLI?
Canada - Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters
US - Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation, LLC
Backchanneling
Is when someone shows active participation by using verbal utterances (hmm, right, uh-huh, etc.) or non-verbal responses (sobbing, frowning, smiling, etc.)
Complementary Schismogenesis
This is what happens when people with different social and cultural norms interact using their normal differing patterns of behavior. When this happens and their individual norms are significantly different, there is often a response of “opposing behavior” - resisting or objecting to the other person’s way of interacting socially.
Culture
Is the normal way of life that is practiced among people of an identified group, such norms are: customs, beliefs, taboos, attitudes, and behaviors
Deafcentric
Refers to the semantic intent of specific lexical terms that are different or unique because they relate to the culture or community of Deaf people.
Ingroup Speak
Is encountered when members of any community, group, or organizations terms that have a unique or different meaning compared to those held by society in general.
Interlocutors
Is one of the people involved in a dialogue or conversation
Jargon
Refers to distinctive terminology used within professional circles and when it is used by members of a particular profession, it usually connotes an atypical meaning known specifically by members of that profession. Jargon is challenging because it is unclear to outsiders.
Metamessage
“What is communicated about the relationships - attitudes towards each other, the occasion, and that we are saying “ (Tannen, 1987)
Minority Group
Is often a group of people who are singled out because of their physical, linguistic or cultural characteristics, often because these characteristics are different form those of the dominant group
Register
Refers to the variations of language use based on the “specific social situations, such as advertising, political journalism, shopping, or academic discussion”
Social
Language varies depending on the characteristics of each user, reflecting things such as traits, social standing, ethnicity, age, gender, and the social context that the individual identifies with
Sociolinguistics
Examines the variations observed in how calanguage is used in diverse settings or contexts. Specifically, sociolinguistics considers how factors such as the participants, setting, topic of discussion, purpose of interactions and relationships among the interlocutors influence communication.
Third Culture
When tow dissimilar communities, each with their own unique culture, customs, language, and norms intersect with each other. This happens when one’s “home culture” intersects with one’s “host culture,” which is their second (or more) languages/cultures. Being a member of a third culture makes it possible for members of each group to experience the cultural practices and “ways of being” of each group.
Influences of linguistic choices
- The Participants
- The Setting
- The Topic
- The Purpose
- The Relationships
Ingroup Speak
When members of any community, group or organization use common terms that have a unique or different meaning from society in general. (NOT Jargon)
Ex: Mainstream (Deaf culture views the term negative, Society in general (people who work in special education) view it positively)
Examples of Jargon words
Feed = Provide linguistic or language support Voice = Rendering interpretation through spoken word Team = Two or more interpreters working together (support system) Consumer = Participant Hearing = Person who can hear Terp = Interpreter
5 Registers
- Frozen - Language that is never changes regardless of time. Ex: Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem
- Formal - Language that is used academically or in settings where high level of professionalism is required
- Consultative - Question & answer, share information, normally one person involved is an “expert” and has the knowledge and answers
- Casual (Informal) - Relaxed language that is used everyday between majority of people
- Intimate - Language between individuals who are close, inside jokes, personal information, and nicknames
Cultural Frames
This is the way in which we understood or make sense of the world, through our values, languages, beliefs, and norms
Subculture
term refers to poplar who reside within s larger cultural group, but shares a specific commonality related to their identity with a smaller group
Collectivistic
This term refers to those individuals who are foundationally supported by people from the same culture, and share similar bonds. They are group oriented and dependent on community
Deaf vs deaf
Deaf - person or group of people who share sign language, culture, values, beliefs and are actively involved in their community
deaf - refers t9o the medical condition that signifies a significant hearing loss
Individualistic
people who are more focused on themselves and their immediate family opposed to society at large
Intersectionality
term used to explain the multiple converging identities (i.e., being with dDeaf and First Nation Canadian)
Institutionalized Oppression
Term that describes the systemic mistreatment, destructive actions, words, and view of minority people because of their membership with a social identity group.
Microaggressions
comments or actions that can unintentionally convey prejudices toward groups or people that are marginalized
- When women are told to smile more
- “I don’t see color”
- Men shouldn’t cry
- ” Some of my best friends are dDeaf”
Oral traditions or oral lore
is a way in which knowledge, history, art, ideas and cultural roots are conveyed orally (narratively) from one generation to the next
Schema
cognitive framework that helps us make sense of the world around us (vocal, questions, setting, our knowledge of social settings, interactions, etc.).
Stereotyping
Deaf people can’t drive
Deaf culture isn’t a real culture
ASL isn’t a real language
Subculture
people who reside within a larger cultural group, but shares a specific commonality related to their identity with smaller group
Attention-getting
Visual and physical signs
- tap on shoulder
- wave your hand (peripheral vision)
- stomp foot on floor (vibrations)
- gently pound on table
- turn lights on and off several times
Conversation cues
Importance of Eye contact
sustained eye contact is mandatory
responding to sounds (your name being called) and loosing eye contact is a powerful nonverbal message that you value sound over sight
Need eye contact to communicate
Backchanneling- (nodding, shaking your head, inquiry, etc)
Institutionalized oppression
subtle, long-term conditioning of the public to view the minority group and its members as less than others that continues over an extended period of time until the marginalization is normalized and accepted
Ambivalence
mixed negative and positive feelings about oneself based on society’s view of being deficient
elements of ASL the are misunderstood by American hearing culture
Facial Expressions
Vocalization
Speed of Signs
Horizontal Violence
hostility that members of an oppressed group take out on one another as a result of frustration at the disenfranchisement they experience
Benefactors are perfect
mistaking privilege for perfection
Emotional dependence on the oppressor
feeling powerless and believing only members of the majority group can change things
Oppression
The unjust or excessive exercise of power or position that hurts, maligns, or disempowers others. Types of Oppression Individual Group Institutional
Ally and strategies to become an Ally
one who supports dDeaf individuals on their journey of liberation.
- Learn about oppression
- Help people understand oppression
- Recognize that you may be part of the problem
- Listen to and believe when dDeaf individual tells you their experiences with oppression and the pain it has caused
- Do not take on a leadership role - work with and support members of the oppressed group
- Develop and maintain friendships
Crab Theory
occurs within Aboriginal people groups, ethnic populations and indigenous Peoples and it is known by several names -
horizontal or lateral violence, internalized colonialism and it is also known within the dDeaf community as crab theory
Abraham Gram Bell
“most famous advocate of regulating Deaf marriage to reduce Death childbirth” (Lane 2005)
Milan Conference 1880
Original founder of the oral education in the US, believed residential schools should be shut down and Deaf children should learn in day schools.
Encouraged sterilization of dDeaf people to prevent a community from forming
ways to change the narrative
ALWAYS sign when dDeaf people are present
do not give into temptation to cheat, to whisper, to talk
understand the moment a dDeaf person comes into a space it become dDeaf space
alleviate oppression when you are able to do so
leverage your privilege for the underprivileged
Learned Helplessness
desire to protect and prevent dDeaf people from making mistakes inadvertently creating a detrimental environment and the dDeaf person’s overreliance on others for help
Different cultural groups
- African Americans
- Asians
- Pacific Islanders
Race defined
- skin color
- physical features
- hair type
- eye color
- other features that are socially significant
Ethnicity defined
- culture
- language
- ancestry
- practices
- beliefs
Deafhood
coined in 1993
means to share the value systems of deaf peoples, as unique people who sr “visa-gesturo-tactil” biological entities, that believe they offer a different and positive perspective on what it means to be human
acculturation
describes the varied experiences which African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx, indigenous Peoples and many other people of color experience when they interact eight the majority culture.
Interpreters and issue of power
by virtue of their position, expert power in every interpreting assignment because we manage communication between two or more persons
Understanding Indigenous dDeaf individuals
People who originally resided in the land but were removed forcibly
Without the knowledge and sensitivity to the culture of indigenous Peoples, interpreting will be challenging and cross cultural communication may not succeed
it is considered an honor to interpret for a Indigenous event
Five strengths of African American families
- strong achievement orientation
- Flexible family role
- Strong work orientation
- Strong kinship
- Strong religious orientation
Collectivist Norms
Are most concerned with the welfare of the group and the group relationships
Heritage speaker
Defined as people who excel at comprehending their native tongue, but can still struggle articulating themselves thrugh spoken or written word
Trilingual Interpreters
Posses fluency in three unique and separate languages and cultures. They must possess knowledge related to the unique aspects that create distinctions between the cultures as well asa the ability to successfully interpret these differences
Equality
The move toward fair and equitable treatment must begin and be continued as those who are not people of color work alongside one another, become friends with and advocate on behalf of all the dDeaf and hearing people of color
Different types of interpreting
- Platform
- Mirroring
- Consecutive
- Simultaneous
- Tactile or Close-vision
Platform interpreting
interpreting infant of a large audience, most often in formal setting where the speaker does most of the talking
Mirroring
when there is a large number of people attending a gathering, such as a workshop, or presentation and members of the audience use ASL.
Concern- the sightlines may be hampered by members of the audience
Consecutive Interpreting
common approach employed by dDeaf interpreters.
Medical, legal, educational and numerous other settings
Simultaneous Interpreting
working with a team, and often being supporting each other and working together..
Information that is being relayed will often come in chunks, hence the reason it tends to be more consecutive
Close vision and Tactile
Interpreters will be assigned to a DeafBlind client or a low-vision client, in this case, it really is up to the DeafBlind participant and how they would like to receive the information.
sit side by side or directly across from one another
Before accepting a job
gather job details and begin to consider the demands of the assignment. Need to consider all the factors to decide if the assignment is the correct one for you
Tandem
Tandem interpreting is a team of interpreters who work together for an assignment to provide communication access
Interpreting skills to always remember
- Flexibility and Fluidity
- Assertiveness and Aggressiveness (once in a while)
- Facilitating effective communication with your team and between all the involved partied of the interaction
Know your limits
Know yourself
Know your boundaries
know your triggers
and interpret within your boundaries
professional habits
prepared by talking to your team before an assignment
arrive 15 mins before to scheduled time of assignment
Dress appropriately for the job
avoid self expression
