For the 1st comment, yes I will change the
colors on my blog to one that's more
appropriate to low-vision readers, but
at this time I am at a camp volunteering
and do not have access to the computer
or the ability to respond directly to the 2
comments. This weekend I will deAfinitely
change the colors, no problem!
For the 2nd comment (my dear friend Bram)
I attended this event with a hearing friend
in addition to 2 other Deafies and I had to
ask her to terp the words spoken in between
the songs so it wasn't a matter of oversight
or noise, but plain old unprofessionalism
on both of the interpreters' behalf. As I
stated before the male interpreter for
most part did a good job. I just resented
when he did not interpret what was being
said and I can tell the difference between
when a terp looks over to gather more
information compared to just plain "enjoying
the view."
Now for the record, I will NOT excuse the 2nd
female interpreter once so ever. She was
NOT prepared. She should have rehearsed
during her FREE time and not on my time!
I don't mind an occasional glance to NOTES
for ASL translations but anything else is
plain old laziness and I will not tolerate
that. She took away from my music concert
experience and she ought to be ashamed
of herself to accept payment. I seriously
have doubts about someone who accepts
an interpreting job that demands not only
professionalism but the ability to perform
in a similar manner as the performer. I am
not saying ASL terps have to be actors but
enthusiasm while interpreting a show is
part of the job. I hope she read my post, and
takes a moment to extend an apology to
me and the others who were cheated out
of a good experience so she could get a
paycheck.
Lastly I realize interpreters both Deaf &
Hearing make mistakes and I will be the
1st to admit mine. For example last week
I terped for our mutual friend at the ADA
celebration sponsored by NYPL and let me
tell you, I messed up BIG time when one of
the speakers decided to read his work/essay
which involved numerous analogies and
unusual adjectives that had me stumbling/
fumbling along the way. I immediately
looked to the other CDI to take over as I was
out of my league and I also apologized to
the person I was providing tactile terping
for. It made me feel bad that I did not give
the 100% expected of me and I am not even
certified.
Bram, I'd like to think due to our work
experiences together that you would've been
prepared for any show you terp at Madison
Square Gardens. But I also hope that if
it a performer or a show that you are not
familiar with or perhaps is not your style
that you would decline the job and allow
another interpreter who have the ability
to give a stellar terp performance take the
job.
I have no problem with novice terps doing
jobs like doctor's appt, school meetings
etc etc but when it comes to entertainment
or legal aspect in which I along with other
Deafies shell out our hard earned money,
we expect the best of the best.
1 comment:
Hi, Jenny, and thanks for your sweet comment.
May I ask, did you or your friends make your feelings/preferences known in any way, and at any time, to the interpreters? I'd think that, at least for the "side comments" issue, something like, "what'd she say?" when the interpreter has your attention could well clue him/her in that you want that information, too, and, hopefully, would be the only time you'd need to mention that for the rest of the evening.
I'd also want to say that, if I'd taken an assignment like that, I probably would want to have a song list in advance to refer to during the night, and, whether or not one was provided, I'd still want to have song lyrics with me to refer to as well, whether of the actual song list or at least of those songs I'd expect to hear. I know you've sometimes seen interpreters in other settings work from notes so I apologize if I'm still puzzled a bit why that might seem unprofessional, as I always considered that to be one form of "preparation" (which, of course, would include my looking them over before the assignment actually begins :-) ).
One last thing...
Don't presume that only those interpreters who aren't Certified come upon situations that overwhelm them. Letters after your name aren't a perfect "cure" for that...trust me. I have some of those letters, and recall (less than fondly, it's true) when that happened to me. Think of that NYPL ADA event as a learning experience, and, hopefully, try to gain some insight from the CDI (and even our mutual friend) about what you might do regarding assignments like that in the future. Let that make you a better interpreter going forward, and our mutual friend (along with others with whom you might work) will be the better for it.
Thanks,
Bram
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