Author Archive: Anna Witter-Merithew
Anna Witter-Merithew is a nationally certified interpreter specializing in legal and community interpreting. She has served in a variety of local, state and national leadership positions, including President and Vice President of the RID and co-founder and Vice President of the CIT. Anna, a Coda, has taught in and administered interpreter education programs for over 35 years and currently serves as the Director of the UNC MARIE Center. MARIE is one of six centers forming the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers. She has also published a variety of articles and resources relating to interpreting and interpreter education—many of which are collaborated works with valued colleagues.
ANNA WITTER-MERITHEW
Stepping out of the Shadows of Invisibility: Toward a Deeper Conceptualization of the Role of Sign Language Interpreters Anna examines how interpreters tend to approach role conception, definition and implementation from an interpreter-centric perspective. In large part, this interpreter-centric approach to our work is the result of role conception that foster the ideal of “interpreter as [...]
ANNA WITTER-MERITHEW
Learning to Collaborate: Tools for Sign Language Interpreters to Increase Their Scope of Influence This insightful session is designed to improve the communication and collaboration skills of interpreters who work as part of collaborative teams. Through the use of assessment tools, games, role-playing and case study analysis. This two and a half-hour session will focus [...]
Sign Language Interpreters: Breaking Down Silos Through Reflective Practice
Most of us went to work as sign language interpreters before we were ready. Whether it was insufficient skill sets, a lack of maturity and self-awareness, or some other gap, we started working without being fully equipped to handle all that being a professional interpreter requires. This lack of readiness is often compounded by a [...]
Sign Language Interpreters: Are Acts of Omission a Failure of Duty?
Often, when discussing breaches of ethical conduct, the focus is on a sign language interpreter’s commission of some act. Examples might include a breach of confidentiality, accepting assignments beyond one’s capacity, demonstrating a lack of respect for consumers and/or colleagues. Equally concerning, although discussed less often, are acts of omission. Acts of omission refer to [...]
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 [...]
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