Archive for January, 2012
Should Sign Language Interpreters Unionize?
In today’s economic downturns and upswings, representation in the labor market is paramount to the success of any profession. The profession of sign language interpreting is no different. Without understanding the influence unity bears, sign language interpreters all over the country, dare I say the world, will not realize the import of their services as [...]
Sign Language Interpreters: Stepping Out of the Shadow of Invisibility
Some time ago some Deaf colleagues were talking about a familiar topic of conversations with and about interpreters, interpreter attitude. As has typically been my experience, their use of this phrase carried a negative connotation. Essentially, they perceived the interpreters who interpreted an event they attended as aloof, detached and largely disinterested. What Happened? When [...]
Vanquished Native Voices — A Sign Language Interpreting Crisis?
As sign language interpreters we have the difficult and challenging task of straddling two languages/cultures (Michal Agar coined the term “languaculture” to highlight the fact that language and culture cannot really be separated.) But I suggest, as others have (see Bill Moody’s 12/11/11 comment), that the vast majority of us approach this daunting task only [...]
How Practicing Sign Language Interpreters Protect Against Legal Liability
As we have seen from the discussion of whether sign language interpreters are complicit in the statutory bargain with the devil, interpreters are in a practice profession in which trust, reliability and heart are important attributes. While these characteristics might seem at odds with the concept of running an interpreting practice, there are a number [...]
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