How to Successfully Communicate Using an ASL Interpreter

Most people who spend any amount of time either attending or instructing classes at the collegiate level are likely to at some point be in the same class as a Deaf student. Although Deaf and hard-of-hearing students now have a variety of options for support services, many still find a sign language interpreter to be most beneficial to them. The interpreter's job is to ensure fluent communication between their Deaf client and the hearing people present. Although it is increasingly common for Deaf students to attend public schools instead of all-Deaf schools during their early education and secondary education, many hearing people still have limited experience with Deaf individuals and the interpreting process. A combination of common misnomers and non-malicious ignorance often contributes to unsuccessful or uncomfortable situations surrounding the process, which, with a little basic information and education could be easily remedied.

The first thing to keep in mind when communicating with a Deaf person is to speak as though the interpreter is not present. This means two things: first, look at the Deaf person as you speak to them, and secondly, speak directly to them. This means using language like, "Hello, Peter. How are you today?" As opposed to asking the interpreter to, "Tell him hi and ask him how he is doing today." The Deaf person will respond in similar fashion, although because of the visual nature of American Sign Language (ASL) and its many derivations, most Deaf individuals will look at the interpreter as they sign their message. Remember, a Deaf person has spent their entire life reliant on vision for all things hearing people use their ears for. This means even if the Deaf person does not look directly at you, they can probably pick up your visual feedback peripherally.

Also, it is important to remember that the interpreter fills one role in most classrooms- communication facilitator. That means that it is typically not appropriate for other students or the instructor to include the interpreter in other ways. This includes conversation with them during the class, expecting participation from them, or using them as a teacher's aid or assistant. People tend to have an over-simplified view of the intensity of the process. Although being fluent in American Sign Language and several of its derivations are a requisite to becoming an interpreter, knowing ASL alone is not enough to do the job. Even "children of Deaf adults" (called "CODAs" within the culture) who learn ASL essentially from childbirth, may not be competent interpreters when they reach working age. Most interpreters working today have gone through a college program or other form of training program that range anywhere from one to four years in length. Currently there is a movement towards requiring more training to become a nationally certified interpreter. This is a product of increasing awareness about the skills and knowledge needed to do the job effectively, specifically relative to what they were believed to be twenty, or even ten years ago. Because of the high degree of difficulty and complex thought processes associated with the job, it is important the interpreter is allowed to function with minimal distractions.

Next, try to avoid ever expressing sympathy or pity to the Deaf person because of their deafness. Chances are, if a Deaf person is using an interpreter, they have embraced their deafness and accepted themselves as culturally Deaf. Most Deaf people are very proud, and the majority of them would never consider a surgery that would make them hear, even if it were possible. The concept of people trying to "fix" their problem is not a sentiment that Deaf people appreciate since they do not feel anything is really broken. You might notice that this article includes the word Deaf with the capital "D" repeatedly. Instead of saying deaf, which is just a medical word to explain their hearing loss, they say Deaf, which transcends the scientific definition and embodies their cultural and linguistic identity. While Deaf individuals typically appreciate those hearing people who make the effort and find methods of communication with them, be it writing, drawing, gesturing, learning sign, or just using the interpreter, using any of these methods to tell them how sorry you feel for them is not appropriate. Because many people do not have experience with Deaf in academic or professional settings, some would connect deaf people to those you find selling "ABC" sign language cards and friendship bracelets in parking lots. However, it is important to understand that the Deaf person you interact with in places outside of those situations are likely very dissimilar. Those "peddlers" are not members of the culturally Deaf community, and actually represent everything most proud Deaf individuals work to dispel. Instead of working hard to get theirs and function as equals in society, they take advantage of peoples' best intentions and the resulting sympathy.

With these tips and bits of information in mind, also know that the most helpful thing you can do is work with an open mind and a willingness to cooperate with the process. Although the presence of an interpreter and their client might require a bit of flexibility from all parties involved, peoples' effort to make the process work is what makes successful communication possible. Even this small amount of information about the culture and the process should increase your ability to make the interaction and communication even more successful.