By: Brenda Terry
Reel Urban News COVID-19 Series
“I was listening to the speaker but I was watching you the whole time”… I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this during my 20-plus years as a sign language interpreter. While many hearing people view sign language as something beautiful and expressive, and it is, Deaf people own it as a communication tool and a living extension of Deaf culture.
American Sign Language, (ASL), is a spatial and expressive visual language that delivers far more meaning than linear English. Every movement, gesture, facial expression, body shift, and non-verbal cue add another layer of meaning to the concept that is being conveyed. As sign language interpreters we are borrowers of the language. Therefore, we strive to deliver it in the fullness of its beauty and cultural relevance in order to earn the trust and respect of the Deaf community that owns it. As credentialed professionals we are tasked with maintaining the integrity of the speaker’s message as part of our ethical commitment to the Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) guidelines that have been set forth by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. (RID)
Recently, the light has been shining brightly on sign language interpreters that have been providing communication access during the COVID-19 pandemic press briefings. They are an integral part of the first responder team and the importance of their role has never been more self-evident than right now. A cursory glance across almost any news media channel broadcasting Coronavirus updates will provide you with a glimpse of interpreters in action. That momentary glimpse, for many people in the “hearing” world, may be the only exposure they have to the language and/or interpreters. For this reason it’s easy to understand why hearing people are so fascinated with the viral videos of interpreters on stage at concerts or other public events.
The truth is, ASL interpreters serve the Deaf community on a daily basis in a variety of everyday settings such as doctor’s appointments, mainstream school settings, courtrooms and legal appointments, mental health facilities, church services, and video relay service calls. Normalizing the presence of an interpreter in the mainstream hearing world is the goal we should strive to achieve. Far too often we fall short of this goal and become sidetracked by those viral videos of interpreters at music concerts or comical references to tragic situations such as the infamous “signer” from Nelson Mandela’s funeral. How tragic that tens of thousands of South Africans had no access to the homage that was being paid to their beloved Mandela. Yet, out of that tragedy came a greater awareness on a global scale to properly vet credentialed and qualified individuals to provide communication access services.
The important thing to remember is access to communication is a right we all retain. Whatever one’s native language may be, interpreters serve to bridge said access and sign language interpreters give you a visual tour while crossing that bridge.
Cover Photo Description: Dr. Pamela Collins interprets at the White House for Attorney Claudia Gordon (Deaf), who served as a member of the Obama Administration.
