The Effective Use of a Professional Interpreter Dr. Allyson P. Hamilton Dixie State University, St. George Utah

Interpreters: *Are highly trained professionals who are fluent in at least two languages. *facilitate communication and convey all auditory and signed information so that both hearing and Deaf individuals may participate.

Interpreters will: *provide interpretations between spoken and signed languages *Spoken English is interpreted into a signed language *A signed language is interpreted into a spoken language

Interpreters will: *provide auditory information for the client such as environmental noises, *position themselves based on the client’s preferences and where the sight-line will not be blocked

Interpreters will: *match their communication style to best fit their client’s needs and to match the source language *facilitate communication between the instructor and client and between students and clients

Interpreters should not be expected To: *repeat or provide information for inattentive students *tutor (tutoring can be provided through the Disabilities Resource Center)

Interpreters should not be expected To: *break confidentiality *participate in class discussion *take a teacher role *provide counseling *take on a role that would interfere with interpreting

Student should: *be expected to communicate any questions or concerns to the teacher *be aware of all classroom expectations *participate in all class activities and assignments

Instructors should: *speak directly to the Deaf client use direct pronouns such as you and me *utilize eye contact *use visual aids *maps, overheads, PowerPoint

Instructors should: *give written information outlines, syllabi, due dates, vocabulary, assign a notetaker *face the audience try not to talk while writing on the board, don’t walk between the interpreter and the client

Instructors should: *provide a “lag time” between when a question is asked and an answer is expected to allow for the interpretation process *clarify questions or statements if the client doesn’t understand