Professional Skills
1. How to enter a room:
A. Scenario A: You are to meet a client at a doctor’s waiting room.
B. Scenario B: You are a sub interpreter for a HS science classroom. The deaf student is sitting in the front right of the classroom.
C. Scenario C: You are assigned to interpret at a conference type meeting. There is a big round table and there are two Deaf participants sitting directly opposite the moderator of the meeting.
D. Scenario D: You are interpreting for an assembly. The presenter is standing on stage. There is only one Deaf person in attendance.
E. Scenario E: You are to interpret in a one-on-one meeting in a counselor’s office.
F. Scenario F: You are to interpret at traffic court. You are
interpreting for the Deaf defendant.
*Note: after discussion with Dave Morrison about giving the Deaf client’s name at doctor’s office, he mentioned that some Deaf clients resent that and it would be best to initiate by stating to the receptionist:
Hello, I am here to interpret for the 2 pm appointment with Dr.
Smith. OR
Hello, I am a sign language interpreter. I am here to interpret for
the 2 pm appt with Dr. Smith.
The receptionist may respond with the client’s name. You can
say yes then.
own the Deaf person. Be careful about using the word, “MY” It would be best to state, “I
am a sign language interpreter here to interpret for the 3 pm assembly. Could you
please direct me to where the Deaf sign language users are seated?”
2. Managing Introductions; how to shake hands etc.
Scenario A: Meeting a client and lawyer at a law office for the first time.
Scenario B: Meeting several members of a visiting delegation at
the U.N. Some are from Muslim countries, and some from
Japan etc.
Scenario C: Meeting a student for the first time at an
elementary school that you will be interpreting for daily.
Scenario D: At an IEP meeting, present are the above student’s
parents, aunt, speech therapist, audiologist, teachers etc.
Scenario E: At a work staff meeting with about 3 Deaf and 15
hearing people.
Scenario F: At a job interview you are applying for a position as a staff
interpreter for the agency.
3. Finding an appropriate placement in the setting
A. Scenario A: You are to interpret for a client’s annual physical between doctor and client.
B. Scenario B: You are a sub interpreter for a HS science classroom. The deaf student is sitting in the front right of the classroom.
C. Scenario C: You are assigned to interpret at a conference type meeting. There is a big round table and there are two Deaf participants sitting directly opposite the moderator of the meeting.
D. Scenario D: You are interpreting for an assembly. The presenter is standing on stage. There is only one Deaf person in attendance.
E. Scenario E: You are to interpret in a one-on-one meeting in a counselor’s office.
F. Scenario F: You are to interpret at court for a deaf defendant
in front of a judge.
G. Scenario G: You are to interpret in an assembly. There are
about 20 Deaf attendees present seated in different areas.
4. Beginning the Interpretation:
A. You are to team interpret for a 4 hour lecture. It is your first
time with the team interpreter. What do you discuss prior to the
interpreting job?
B. You got a call if you want this interpreting job as a sub to interpret in an
elementary school for 6 hours two days a week with an hour break in
between. What questions will you ask on the phone?
C. You were told by your team interpreter that this client prefers PSE or
more English order signing. Your team interpreter also asked you to begin
first as she wants to finish her coffee. About ten minutes later, you noticed
the client has a puzzled expression and kept looking at your team
interpreter, what do you do?
D. You were assigned to platform interpret. There are several Deaf people
scattered in the audience. Before the presentation is to begin but in front
of the audience which is almost full, the presenter looked at you and
said, “I do not like to share the spotlight, (in a laughing voice) so please go stand
below the stage”. What will you do and/or say?
E. You are to interpret for a realtor and a young Deaf couple. You are to
accompany them as they are house hunting. You are seated in the front
passenger seat with the realtor driving while the couple is seated in the
back. You are prepared to interpret between the realtor and the couple
information about the neighborhood, conveniences in the area etc. however, the
realtor immediately started asking you whether you think the couple can afford the
homes they are looking for, if they have good credit, if Deaf people can marry and
that Deaf should not marry Deaf and such uncomfortable questions, how will you
handle this? The Deaf couple are looking at you and waiting for you to interpret the
realtor’s questions and comments.
F. How will you get the attention of:
1. A Deaf student in a wood shop class
2. Several Deaf college students in a History lecture
3. An elderly Deaf lady in a wheelchair in a nursing home
` 4. A Deaf man who has nodded off while waiting to be called to
see a counselor.
5. Several Deaf people in an audience before the presentation is to
begin.
6. Several Deaf people in a meeting when it was called to order