Interpreting for mono-linguistically and mono-cultural deaf clients withing the mental health context.
Interpreting has 2 key parts. Deliver the message that fits the (1) language and (2) culture of the recipient. That is the main goal and determinant of successful interpretation. How the client builds on that is their load of responsibility to own. The message itself is given appropriate linguistic consideration. How the message is delivered is given cultural consideration. Any person gives a response based on what the message is and how it is delivered. Interpreting the language involves considerable mental knowledge. Interpreting the cultural element considers considerable emotional literacy. Coldly matching sign to word interpretation can considerably undermine the deeper inner workings of the speaker. This leads to cultural misunderstandings despite the language appearing accurate.
For a deaf person that has given little opportunity to learn the English cultural way of communication may feel a sense of frustration that they can mimic the way hearing people speak, however, experience a different response. This can lead to comments of ‘typical hearing way’ or ‘they don’t understand deaf way’. This is a clear signal that there is a cultural clash of understanding in meeting a desired goal.
Let’s say this in a deaf cultural way.
It is important the interpreter can smoothly swap between deaf way and hearing way. Signing hearing way or speaking deaf way is not the best, lots of miscommunication or wrong assumptions happen. Speaking in hearing way helps hearing person feel comfortable receiving the message and responding clearly. Changing that response to a deaf way helps the deaf person feel comfortable receiving the message and responds clearly. Ideally, the conversation should feel natural, as if the interpreter wasn’t there.
If either hearing person or deaf person know both cultures, then less chance of misunderstanding. If both are strong only in their own culture, then there is more responsibility on the interpreter to bridge the cultural gap. This is the case for court or legal interpreting, as well as health and mental health and social interpreting.
interpreters always observing.
When I am interpreting, I make an effort to observe interactions between two people. If the interaction goes well, then that becomes a strategy for me to use when voicing for the other culture. It is more the way someone thinks, than what is said. If I can communicate to convey a key thought in the person’s head, then that is the main point of communication. To have my thought, in the other person’s head. Now they can reply with understanding of my thoughts, and we would be in tune.
It would be unwise simply to convey word for sign matches. It is literal and only considers one aspect of communication. Lots of aspiring interpreters become so fixated on getting the right sign for the word. However, If you convey a thought in a storytelling way with refection of feeling, then you have deaf culture covered in your message. Alternatively, If you interpret in a way that has polite markers and inferences, then you have English culture covered. It is important not to mix these around. It gets Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede just Fusce pretium sem quis ipsum gravida eleifend. Quisque vehicula neque turpis, id eleifend ante rutrum eget. Curabitur felis dui, placerat tincidunt maximus vel, auctor fermentum nunc. Pellentesque imperdiet dapibus neque, et sodales felis accumsan non. Donec vestibulum porta urna in sodales. Praesent cursus venenatis ultrices. Nulla in nulla rutrum lectus auctor scelerisque semper sit amet nunc. Phasellus imperdiet a mauris quis consequat Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt tempus.
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