FAQ

A CDI is a Certified Deaf Interpreter and a DI is a Deaf Interpreter who does not have national certification. These are highly trained individuals, who cannot hear, on whom the interpreting profession greatly depends to assist in situations where enhanced communication and interpreting support is required that hearing interpreters are not equipped to provide. This would usually be in a case where the Deaf, hard of hearing person receiving the services possesses a-typical language (such as being language deprived in formative years or being foreign born without an ASL language base that a hearing person is equipped to serve). CDIs and DIs often work with Deaf-Blind individuals as well. It is becoming more common to be standard practice to use CDIs with minors in legal proceedings. CDIs and DIs usually work as part of team with hearing interpreters, but some can work independently in certain situations. Contact CASL Interpreting for more information regarding CDIs and to see if your interpreted situation requires their specialized services.

There are various degrees of Deafness and Blindness in Deaf-Blind individuals. Some require the use of a tactile interpreter (where the Deaf-Blind person would be touching the interpreter to follow his or her signs). Others have varying degrees of sight and might be able to see the interpreter in special light or a placement of the interpreter that allows for an adequate sight-line. Interpreters who work with Deaf-Blind consumers require special training in order to effectively provide equal access to communication.

People who cannot hear have the right to identify any way they’d like and to be called whatever they want in a way that would demonstrate they have a hearing loss. Certain terms, however, have become out of date and even offensive.  Deaf-mute, deaf and dumb, and hearing impaired have fallen out of date. Overwhelmingly, people who cannot hear and use sign language to communicate prefer to be called “deaf”, “Deaf”, or “hard of hearing”. The difference between the term deaf with the upper case “D” as opposed to the lower case “d”, usually indicates a stronger cultural identity of deafness.

A common misconception is that sign language is universal. Deaf people in the United States and Canada use American Sign Language (ASL). Each country tends to have their own sign language. Mexico uses a sign language LSM, which is completely foreign to ASL. Some people are surprised to find that sign language in Britain is also foreign to ASL.

American Sign Language is a rich language that includes vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and many rules, just like any other real language. Ease of acquisition depends largely on natural ability to learn languages, age of acquisition (younger brains tend to learn language easier than older brains), and how much formal training and exposure one has to actually using the language. Taking a few classes and socializing with Deaf people and using the language can help many to gain the ability to be relatively conversational in ASL. Becoming fluent and then learning to actually interpret and become good enough to be a nationally certified interpreter, however, takes years of dedication and continued education. Like any language, even the most fluent language user could dedicate themselves to learning new words and expanding their linguistic abilities every day. ASL is no different.

Simultaneous interpretation is when an interpreter provides the interpretation as the speaker is speaking in real time. Most interpreting is done simultaneously. Sometimes interpreters will interpret consecutively. This requires interpretation to be done a little at a time and the flow of the hearing speaker’s communication will likely need to be paused in order for the interpreter to include all the information. Witness testimony during legal trials is done consecutively. Other examples when consecutive interpretation is conducted could be when using a DI or CDI (although they may interpret simultaneously as well), or during medical exams or in mental health situations.

Interpreters are trained to interpret at different paces in order to keep up with many different individual speaking styles. You should speak at your normal pace to make the interpreter’s job more easy and an interpreter will ask you for a repeat or to slow down if there is a problem in rendering an accurate message because of speed, volume, etc. If reading, however, it’s important to read at a comfortable pace. Most people read much faster than they normally speak, so interpreting messages that are read can be difficult to keep up with for the interpreter.

When speaking to a Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person through an interpreter, you should look at and speak to the Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person, not the interpreter. You should use the appropriate pronoun when speaking to Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind (rather than saying “tell her…” “does she…?”.

Interpreting is a profession and a highly technical skill that is very difficult to learn at the level of a nationally certified interpreter. It typically requires years of formal education and then years of practice to become certified and good enough to provide professional interpreting services. Many interpreters are independent contractors and work is not always steady. Moreover, some interpreters can only do a couple of assignments a day (such as a medical appointment in the morning and a therapy appointment in the afternoon). With drive time, squeezing three assignments in one day makes for a long and busy day for an interpreter.

CASL Interpreting and other reputable interpreting services providers will always defer to the Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person’s preference regarding the use of certain interpreters. While interpreters serve all people in providing communication access, it is the Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person who is requiring the accommodation with the support of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA mandates that the most effective accommodation is to be provided and each individual Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind knows best how he or she should be accommodated.

CASL Interpreting follows the philosophy of providing ACES – access, clarity, ease , and satisfaction. If you are unsatisfied with the service of an interpreter sent by CASL Interpreting, we welcome your feedback. We will address the situation in the most appropriate way and ensure that satisfaction is not overlooked.

In almost all cases, it is inappropriate for family members or friends to interpret in situations where there should be a professional interpreter provided. Depriving someone of a professional interpreter because you are used to their daughter interpreting for them is inappropriate and presents conflicts of interest and is ultimately oppressive toward the Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person. Professional interpreters are bound by a Code of Professional Conduct, which has been set in place to protect all parties involved.

The role of the interpreter is to provide equal access to communication. If you have something private to say that you don’t want the Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person to know, do what you would if the consumer were hearing. Leave the room to communicate privately, ask the Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind person and the interpreter to leave the room, and conduct your private business. While it may seem insignificant to simply say “don’t interpret this part…”, it is actually oppressive and highly offensive to Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind people. Interpreters, as enforced by their Code of Professional Conduct, will not deliberately alter or omit certain communication.

No. While it’s rarely necessary to need access to a person’s entire medical history in order to provide interpreting services to Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind people, providing the interpreter or the service provider with some medical information is not only helpful, but necessary in providing the best and most accurate interpretation. Both CASL Interpreting as an interpreting services provider and interpreters sent by CASL Interpreting are bound to a Code of Professional Conduct, which ensures confidentiality.