1. Where, in your opinion, do interpreters fit into Deaf Culture? Interpreters fit in Deaf culture in countless ways. Interpreters are knowledgeable of Deaf culture because they are a constant in a Deaf persons life. We are advocates and allies for Deaf people. Interpreters bridge the communication gap between the hearing and Deaf world.
2. Does it matter if the interpreter is a CODA? Should it? There are pros and cons to both CODA interpreters and interpreters. I feel that my opinion about CODA interpreters might be a biased one though, and that is because I fall into that category. CODA's are immersed in Deaf culture, they grow up in it and accept it as a part of their own culture, and that is a big part of being skilled and desired …show more content…
I have gotten those questions all of my life with my parents, and while I think "DUH!", I have to stop and remember that so many people are just that unaware and uneducated on deafness. I also feel that the "deaf and dumb" term is still so widely known, and its very unfortunate because it is incorrect! In a professional interpreting setting I remain professional while informing or answering these questions. The times where I have been in personal settings and get these types of asinine questions, I tend to be blatant while still educating. Example; Q: Can they drive? A: They do have working EYES and HANDS! Actually, Deaf people are better drivers than hearing people because they do not have some of the distractions that hearing people have such as the radio, horns, etc..
5. How much of your job as an Interpreter is to educate hearing clients about Deaf culture? Educating hearing clients about deafness and Deaf culture is a significant part of an interpreters job. I believe most of the assignments that I have interpreted have almost always included, in some way, to inform the hearing client of cultural differences of the Deaf client.
6. How can you, as an interpreter, improve your own personal standing within the Deaf
2. Does it matter if the interpreter is a CODA? Should it? There are pros and cons to both CODA interpreters and interpreters. I feel that my opinion about CODA interpreters might be a biased one though, and that is because I fall into that category. CODA's are immersed in Deaf culture, they grow up in it and accept it as a part of their own culture, and that is a big part of being skilled and desired …show more content…
I have gotten those questions all of my life with my parents, and while I think "DUH!", I have to stop and remember that so many people are just that unaware and uneducated on deafness. I also feel that the "deaf and dumb" term is still so widely known, and its very unfortunate because it is incorrect! In a professional interpreting setting I remain professional while informing or answering these questions. The times where I have been in personal settings and get these types of asinine questions, I tend to be blatant while still educating. Example; Q: Can they drive? A: They do have working EYES and HANDS! Actually, Deaf people are better drivers than hearing people because they do not have some of the distractions that hearing people have such as the radio, horns, etc..
5. How much of your job as an Interpreter is to educate hearing clients about Deaf culture? Educating hearing clients about deafness and Deaf culture is a significant part of an interpreters job. I believe most of the assignments that I have interpreted have almost always included, in some way, to inform the hearing client of cultural differences of the Deaf client.
6. How can you, as an interpreter, improve your own personal standing within the Deaf