Working with Sign Language Interpreters

Working with an Interpreter enables communication between Deaf and hearing people to work effectively. Interpreters train at College or University and when they graduate they will work with Deaf people in a variety of different settings. Interpreters are bound by a code of ethics to ensure Deaf and hearing consumers receive the best service.

Deaf people may have exprience of working with Interpreters, but for the majority of hearing people it will be a new experience.

To help facilitate positive communication please adopt the following guidelines:

• Speak directly to the Deaf person, this is polite and involves them in the conversation.
• The Interpreter will interpret everything that is said from both parties. Respecting their code of ethics, they will not omit any information.
• The information discussed is confidential.
• Don’t ask the interpreter for their personal opinion.
• Provide Good lighting.

Interpreting can be both mentally and physically tiring, to both the Deaf client and the Interpreter. Discuss breaks or if it is a lengthy assignment, two Interpreters may be required.

American Sign Language has a different grammatical structure to English, therefore the Interpreter may need to wait for the meaning of the message, before they sign it to the Deaf Client.

The above is just a basic guideline, for more information please speak to a member of the team at Symmetry Solutions: symmetry@symmetrysolutions.ca