Anonymous: Issues I’ve experienced using interpreters in media settings (BSL)

This is a response to the article about media interpreters in the Limping Chicken and a lot of the content resonated with me.

I myself have experienced this sort of disrespectful behaviour on numerous occasions. I would like to stress that not all interpreters behave in this way – there are a small few, who adhere to their code of ethics and are aware of their role in the interpreting dynamic.

Hearing colleagues are unsure of how to interact with the interpreter. Are they allowed to talk to them to engage and have a conversation with them? Should they invite them to social events outside of work? This has happened with interpreters going out for the night without Deaf colleagues who have booked them via AtW.  So should they be classed as part of the team? The problem is also the same for interpreters and where do they draw the line. Unfortunately, the missing element here is how do they behave when faced with these dilemmas.

On some training courses, this is not something that is taught or part of their curriculum when they are studying to be an interpreter. Do they say “I’m just the interpreter”, “I’m invisible, forget I’m here”. This can be a very difficult concept to grapple with as clearly the interpreter is not invisible and this concept can be difficult to understand if you are not exposed to deaf culture. As part of hearing culture, there is a need to look at the person who is talking. When that person is the interpreter, the deaf person becomes the invisible person as the attention goes to the sound of voice and looking at that person. How do we resolve these issues?  I feel the good interpreters could be in control of these situations, but sadly, many seem to have jumped on the bandwagon.

Other Deaf people have commented when my partner shared the article on Facebook, and it looks as if some of them will raise it, so well done to the Limping Chicken.

The article has also been discussed in one TV environment where I work, and I’m sure it will have an impact.

I must say that in the TV and filming environments I have worked in, the situation is confused even more when a few Deaf people in those environments choose to speak to hearing people, often without signing, even though their speech is not clear at all. That also creates a dilemma for the interpreters, so it is no wonder they are often confused themselves.

This blog has been posted anonymously