Category: Ethics & Education
Ethical Choices: Educational Sign Language Interpreters as Change Agents
I have the pleasure and challenge of working with educational sign language interpreters around the country. Pleasure because I generally find these interpreters extremely committed to the best interests of students. Challenge because I generally find them frustrated by their work settings. Their experiences resonate with Gina Olivia’s post, Sign Language Interpreters in Mainstream Classrooms: Heartbroken [...]
Do Sign Language Interpreters Ever Have “Clients?”
As a sign language interpreting student about eighteen years ago, I was told that the term client was falling out of use in our profession. If only that dream had come true by now. Sadly, the word is still far too commonly used. Recently, I was a user of interpreting services, and I heard one of [...]
Sign Language Interpreting: Can Self-Interest Lead to Disregard of Industry Stakeholders?
As an Interpreter Educator, I like to use real-life scenarios in my classroom, where one of the courses I teach is Professional Ethics for Interpreters. This one is an excellent teaching tool on what effect self-interest—even at the higher levels with established professionals—can have on everyone involved. To make sure we are all understanding terms [...]
What Role Does Civility Play in the Sign Language Interpreting Profession?
If the work we do as sign language interpreters requires that we convey messages not only with words but also with our demeanor, shouldn’t we consider what our demeanor conveys? I propose that demeanor is the face of civility and the effective use of civil behavior can enhance all aspects of the sign language interpreting [...]
A Role for Sign Language Interpreters: Preserving the Linguistic Human Rights of Deaf People
As a coda when I left home to go to college, I never dreamed that I was leaving my mother tongue. It never dawned on me that there wouldn’t be deaf people where I was going and that ASL would be nowhere in sight. Never were my eyes so lonely. Much like an immigrant leaving [...]
New Lamps for Old: Apprenticeship in Sign Language Interpreting
A while ago I taught a workshop in Thailand. My driver, Tuy, took pains during our commute to describe points of interest and cultural nuance. At stoplights, vendors would rush into the queue of cars. One day, Tuy bought a small garland. As he fixed the flowers to his rearview mirror, he explained, “Respect for [...]
The Value of Networking for the Developing Sign Language Interpreter
In order for students to be successful sign-language interpreters, prior to graduating it is critical that they develop a relationship with both the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community (DHHC) and current-working professionals within the DHHC. This would include interpreters, educators and DHHC advocates. By fostering these relationships, students will create educational, professional and personal [...]
Ethical Development: A Sign of the Times for Sign Language Interpreters?
Prophetic words do not solely come from scriptural texts and prophetic messages do not only come from spiritual leaders. A prophetic message can be found in the profane moments of our daily lives: a song on the radio that brings comfort, an overheard remark of a child that is innocent yet profound, or an advertisement [...]
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 [...]
Does Social Networking Impair Sign Language Interpreter Ethics?
The distance between our physical world and the virtual world of social media often invites behavior one would never project in real life. This virtual world introduces a whole new context of social norms and acceptable personal expression. Unfortunately, it appears in many cases that sign language interpreters appear to lack an awareness of the [...]
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