ASL interpreters are faced with several issues, one of them being their hearing privilege
Interpreting is a rewarding but challenging job. Every day on the job ASL interpreters are faced with an array of hurdles. As the job’s 2 main components are communication and language, focusing on the many nuances and the changing trends becomes an integral part of the job.
Whether you are an aspiring ASL interpreter or have been in the profession for a long, the delicacy of the job and the complexity of the challenges make these issues relevant to you. For anyone looking to enter the profession, it is important to be fully aware of what is to come. Let’s take a closer look at some of the challenges faced by ASL interpreters on the job to better understand the profession-
Hearing privilege
A person with hearing privilege can easily access auditory information as compared to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The impact of this privilege is so deeply felt by the deaf community, yet ignored by those outside the community. The effect of hearing privilege is two-fold-
- It has given rise to Audism, which is a stigma against deaf or hard-of-hearing people. Like any other prejudice, audism renders the belief that the deaf community is lesser than others.
- Audism, in turn, has created a deep lack of trust between the deaf community and ASL interpreters who do not belong to the community. Due to this, some people in the deaf community do not prefer a hearing interpreter. This can create a barrier to employment.
As a hearing ASL interpreter, earning the trust of the deaf community is essential and is a privilege that should be earned. Interpreters get to enter the community every day with their work, therefore, trust becomes a contributing factor to doing an effective job. If you are an ASL interpreter, it would be in your, and the deaf community’s, best interest to educate yourself about power dynamics and the discrimination that deaf people face.
Cultural awareness
As an ASL interpreter, you need to be well-versed in ASL and English. However, that alone isn’t enough. It is important to immerse yourself in the deaf community and learn about the culture. It is equally important to learn about the culture of the country and region that you are interpreting in.
Interpreting may involve translating slang, jargon, idioms, and/or other words that are specific to that region. There might be times when as an interpreter, you have to translate humor and sarcasm– it then becomes important to translate in a way that isn’t offensive and yet still makes sense. Further, there might be certain nuances that are only understood by the deaf community but not by those who aren’t a part of the community. To maintain the essence of the communication, it is important for an ASL interpreter to not only understand what is being said but also to translate it effectively.
Stringent Rules for Education
Owing to the complexity of the language, the requirements to become an ASL interpreter are quite rigid. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) offers a National Interpreter Certification (NIC). However, to be able to take the test, you must meet all the prerequisites. While a high school diploma is all that is needed for this test, some employers prefer to employ interpreters with a degree in English, communication, or other related fields.
Comprehension issues
There are many reasons why the interpreter may not be able to hear the deaf speaker. Some of which may be
- The speaker’s audio equipment is working properly
- The sound system is inadequate
- Poor location of the interpreter’s booth
- The speaker isn’t clearly audible
- Incompetency of the technician
All of these cases pose a challenge to the ASL interpreter as it becomes hard to hear the speaker. This, in turn, may result in issues in comprehension.
Inadequate time to translate
Sometimes, the speaker may be talking too quickly. Interpreting is delicate work that requires some time to translate from one language to the other. Speakers who are quite hasty with their speech might make it challenging for an ASL interpreter.
Lack of briefing
A part of the job includes going over materials and references beforehand to prepare for the role of an interpreter. Acquainting yourself with such material can help remove uncertainties and make the job easier– it makes understanding the topics of discussion easier, sets the context for the event, and provides some information about the speaker/s. However, sometimes ASL interpreters are not provided with adequate information about the event or the speaker. Going underprepared to an event as an ASL interpreter can be very stressful as it puts you at a disadvantage
Conclusion
Becoming an ASL interpreter is a truly rewarding job. It allows you to derive a sense of fulfillment by means of your work. Although there are some challenges that you might face on the way, the feeling of creating a positive impact in the lives of deaf and hard-of-hearing people is unmatched. If you, too, want to make a real difference while working in a dynamic job, you have come to the right place!
You can contact Unspoken Language Services to join a team of talented ASL interpreters who are committed to serving the deaf community the best they can. We are looking for certified ASL interpreters who are excited at the prospect of fostering communication fluidity through their work. Become an Unspoken Interpreter today!
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