Best Practices for Utilizing an ASL Interpreter

Whether you are Deaf or Hearing, we have tips on how to use an interpreter to make communication seamless! Read on to learn best practices!

History of ASL Interpreting

Are you curious how interpreting as a profession started? Here’s a brief summary of interpreting for the deaf and hard of hearing and the different models.

The Helper

Before the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) was established, interpreters tended to be volunteers who were friends or family members of the deaf or hard of hearing client. The interpreting industry has gone through four different stages in interpreting models. The introduction of interpreting followed what is now called the “helper” model. At the time boundaries were complex, and interpreters often overinterpreted – giving advice, and even making decisions on behalf of the client.

Many saw interpreters at the time as “care-takers” of the deaf client disempowering them in the process. Consequently, RID was established in 1964 to implement standards for interpreting as a field and introduce professionalism and boundaries for interpreting. In addition they also promoted education and training for interpreters to improve quality of interpreting nationwide.

The Conduit

The transition was made to a “machine” or conduit model of interpreting which saw interpreting as mechanical task, and overly neutral compared to the helper model. The focus was on interpreting as many words as possible and not on clarity or comprehension for the client. The pendulum shift towards neutrality eliminated the interpersonal skills the deaf and hard of hearing need for trust.

The Facilitator

The third phase of interpreting was “communication facilitator”. Interpreters noted the ability to impact communication in a positive manner and took more care on using the environment effectively – where to sit, stand, move to the benefit of the client. They shifted towards meeting the needs of both hearing and deaf cultures and mediating between the two. During this stage which occurred in the 1970’s-1980’s, ASL was gaining recognition as full fledged language separate from English.

Bi-Bi Model

Up to this point, many interpreters saw English as the superior language and interpreting often reflected a strong English influence. ASL gaining national recognition led to the fourth stage of interpreting called the Bi-Bi model which means bilingual and bicultural. There was a realization of the need to be strongly bilingual in both languages to be effective, and also to be culturally knowledgeable.

The RID partnered with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) to establish ethical standards during its establishment the Code of Ethics. In 2005, it was revised the Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) as we know it today. All interpreters are required to abide by the CPC. Ethical violations can result in an investigation by the RID and potential loss of certification. Today, sign language interpreting is a respected profession, with interpreters working in various settings, including healthcare, business, education, government, and the legal system.

Tips for Using an ASL Interpreter

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We have tips to make your interpreting experience a successful one! Read on to learn our tips of what to do.

Prepare in Advance

If you know you will be working with an interpreter, try to provide them with as much information as possible beforehand. This can include the purpose of the meeting or class, the topic of discussion, any relevant materials or documents, and any specific vocabulary or terms that may come up.

Use Clear Language

Use straightforward language when speaking with the interpreter. Avoid using jargon or complex vocabulary, or if you must–clarify meanings and try to speak at a moderate pace. Doing so will make it easier for the interpreter to convey your message accurately without delays.

Maintain Eye Contact

Maintain eye contact with the deaf client you are communicating with. It can be tempting to watch the interpreter, but it’s crucial to maintain eye contact with the deaf or hard of hearing individual. This helps establish a connection and shows that you are addressing them directly.

Follow Turn Taking

In deaf culture, turn taking is a collective value in the community. There are two forms of turn taking. One is to ensure only one person speaks at a time. It is typical in hearing culture to have a banter or overlapping conversation. However this is difficult for both the client and interpreter to keep up with. Taking turns speaking allows for clearer communication and accounts for the lag time typical with interpreting.

Secondly, account for turn-taking with an interpreting team. Interpreters often work in teams of two, and will switch every 15-20 minutes on average. Be willing to pause when the interpreters need to switch and give the other one a break. Interpreting can be mentally and physically exhausting, so allow breaks as required. It will help the interpreter stay fresh and focused, leading to better communication.

Respect the Interpreter Role

Remember that the interpreter is there to facilitate communication and is not responsible for the content of the conversation. Avoid making requests for information. You are responsible for remembering or noting what is being said and covered during the session. Don’t ask the interpreter for advice, options, or speak about the client in front of them.

Be Yourself

Use your ordinary language and speaking style. Speak in the first person, just like you are having a normal voice-to-voice conversation with a person. Avoid such phrases as "Tell her" and "Explain to him." Treat the deaf or hard of hearing person with respect and honor their communication preferences.

Use Lighting Effectively

If you lower the lights during a formal event such as a conference or theater, maintain enough light so that the interpreter is visible to the client. If you can, use a small directional "spot light." Be willing to move to new location with better lighting such as indoors if it is dark outside.

Conclusion

Following these tips ensures that your communication with a sign language interpreter is effective and respectful. Be willing to ask the client what their communication needs are. Deaf individuals may have more experience with the different options for using a sign language interpreter and have valuable insight into the best choice for effective communication for them.