Recently, a slew of videos have appeared on YouTube and making the rounds on Facebook, proliferating my NewsFeed. "A Few Minutes in the Life of the Sign Language Interpreter" and other related videos covering the classroom, VRS, job interview, and assignment cancellations, have certainly provided a comical release for interpreters as we re-live our unforgettable moments and tales from the field. The videos are relatable, with every interpreter exclaiming, "I've been there!"
Of course, our next thought is "I wish I could say that in real life." Much of the videos, in their humor and satire, not only capture what we encounter in the field, but our thoughts and inner monologues as well.
More importantly, I hope these videos can serve as a springboard within the interpreting community to start a dialogue about consumer education. Often, we talk about consumer education as being part of our role, but how does it happen? Consumers, hearing and Deaf, are curious about about our role, our background. Endless questions abound, from our education and certification to the rationale for two interpreters to the true necessity for copies of materials. In these small conversations, our responses can set a precedent for future interactions and expectations. We may not be experts in anything else, but we are experts in what we do- interpreting! Let's educate and advocate for best practices in the field. Consider every interaction an opportunity to learn and teach.
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. I would love to hear about your experiences with consumer education. As always, please be respectful of the Code of Professional Coduct (CPC), our consumers, and colleagues.
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