The Deaf community is a diverse group of individuals who have varying degrees of hearing loss. They use various forms of communication, including sign language, lip-reading, and written language; and many members of the Deaf community identify as part of a cultural and linguistic minority, with a distinct history, heritage, and social norms.

Sign language as mentioned above is one of the ways to communicate with members of the Deaf community, and to achieve this – the assistance of an interpreter is needed.

Who are Interpreters?

Interpreters play a vital role in ensuring that members of the Deaf community have equal access to information and opportunities. An interpreter for the Deaf Community (Deaf Interpreter) is a specialist who helps in interpreting, translating, and transliterating members of the Deaf community. This interpretation, translation, and transliteration are usually done in American Sign Language (ASL) and also in other tactual and visual communication means.

Without interpreters, many members of the Deaf community would face significant barriers in accessing education, healthcare, legal services, and the workplace. So, interpreters, therefore, bridge the communication gap between the Deaf and hearing communities, enabling individuals to fully participate in society.

The purpose of this blog post is to give an explicit understanding of the roles that interpreters play in the Deaf community. Alongside this, we will explore the different types of interpreters, and the impact they have on the Deaf community.

Types of Interpreters

The services rendered by interpreters vary, depending on the member of the Deaf community. However, three types of interpreters aid the members of the Deaf community.

They include:

  • Sign Language Interpreters: Sign language interpreters are trained to interpret between spoken languages and sign languages. They are certified by organizations such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
  • Oral Interpreters: Oral interpreters are trained to interpret for Deaf individuals who use oral communication methods, such as lip-reading or speech. They are not required to be fluent in sign language but must have a strong understanding of oral communication methods used by the Deaf community.
  • Cued Language Interpreters: Cued language interpreters, on the other hand, are trained to interpret for Deaf individuals who use cued speech.

ROLES OF INTERPRETERS IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY

As a member of the Deaf community, it’s important to understand the crucial role that interpreters play in a variety of settings. From education to healthcare to the workplace, interpreters are essential for ensuring that Deaf individuals have equal access to information and services.

However, we will be discussing the roles the interprets play based on the setting:

  • Educational Settings: 

Every human has the right to education and so members of the Deaf community should not be neglected or feel rejected for any reason. The interpreters in this setting will assist the Deaf student(s) in understanding classroom lectures, group discussions, and other academic activities. They would also play a key role in ensuring that Deaf students can fully participate in classroom discussions and group projects, and hereby they would feel involved and integrated into the community. 

Without interpreters, many Deaf students would struggle to keep up with their peers and would likely fall behind in their studies.

  • Medical Settings:

In the health sector, interpreters are also crucial as they help to bridge the communication gap between Deaf patients and healthcare providers. They assist with doctor-patient consultations, help to explain medical procedures and medications, and ensure that Deaf patients can fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options. Without interpreters in the health sector, Deaf patients would likely have a difficult time navigating the healthcare system and may not receive the same level of care as hearing patients.

  • Legal Settings:

 Interpreters are also used in legal settings to assist Deaf individuals in understanding court proceedings, legal documents, and other legal matters. They play a key role in ensuring that Deaf individuals can fully participate in legal proceedings and understand their rights and responsibilities. Without interpreters, Deaf individuals may not be able to fully understand the legal system or navigate it effectively.

  • Workplace Settings: 

Interpreters are also used in workplace settings to assist Deaf employees in understanding meetings, training sessions, and other work-related activities. They play a key role in ensuring that Deaf employees can fully participate in the workplace and have equal opportunities for advancement. Without interpreters, many Deaf employees would struggle to keep up with their peers and may miss out on important information and opportunities.

Impact of Interpreters on the Deaf Community

The role of interpreters in the Deaf community cannot be overemphasized, as they provide access to information and services that would have otherwise been unavailable. The following are some of the key ways that interpreters positively impact the Deaf community:

  • Improved access to information and services: They help to bridge the communication gap between Deaf individuals and the hearing world, making it easier for Deaf individuals to access information and services.
  • Increased social and economic opportunities: Interpreters ensure that Deaf individuals have equal opportunities to participate in social, educational, and economic activities.
  • Positive impact on mental health and well-being: They help to reduce feelings of isolation and frustration, promoting better mental health and well-being for Deaf individuals.

Conclusion

Every human deserves equal access to education, good health, transportation, and other basic needs. However, years ago when the members of the Deaf community have been neglected, now with the help of interpreters, they have been properly reintegrated into society. The interpreters have helped to bridge the communication gap between the Deaf community and the hearing world, promoting increased social and economic opportunities and improved mental health and well-being. Therefore everyone needs to be enlightened about the roles of interpreters in the Deaf community, to support them, work with them easily, and work to ensure that they are easily reintegrated wherever they desire to stay. 

To enjoy great services in reaching out to your deaf customers, patients or colleagues, reach out to us at Unspoken Language Services!