A follow-up discussion on consumer education

A few weeks ago, I wrote my response to the YouTube videos that have taken the Facebook interpreting community by storm.  However, in the past few weeks, I have been reminded that consumer education does not only extend to the hearing participant.  Within the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to educate both hearing and Deaf consumers about the role of the interpreter, the interpretation process, and Code of Professional Conduct.

One of my ITP professors advised us to have scripts prepared to address potential (and sometimes) common situations.  When the hearing participant asked me a question, I was able to reach in my mental tool box, pull out my script and encourage her to direct that particular question to the Deaf participant, delineating my role as an interpreter, rather than an expert on the Deaf participant.  Another script that I have used repeatedly with hearing individuals, particularly schedulers and points of contact, came in handy with a Deaf consumer- the importance of preparation for assignments.

Although Deaf consumers tend to have more experience with interpreters than many of the hearing consumers we work with, there may be times to educate them as well.  When everyone is on the same page, interpreting assignments are much smoother and the interactions are more successful and effective.  And of course, remember the CPC and demonstrate professionalism and respect for the consumers.

The Interpreter's bag

Let's face it:  Interpreters have a lot of stuff.  In fact, some of us are notorious for it.  I don't mean my closet full of black shirts or twenty pairs of cute, but somewhat impractical, shoes.  I'm talking about what I carry around in my bag everyday.  Interpreters are like the maid of honor on the wedding day- we need to be prepared for anything and everything.

So what's exactly is in my interpreter bag?
-business cards
-Smartrip card
-wallet (including photo ID)
-cell phone
-lint roller (a necessity for an interpreter with a pet)
-notebook
-pens
-chapstick
-lipgloss
-Kindle (a fairly recent addition)
-sunglasses
-umbrella
-water bottle
-snacks
-lotion
-hand sanitizer
-nail file
-deodorant
-Advil
-Prescription migraine medicine
-Rolaids
-gum/mints
-Dr. Scholl's rub relief stick
-eye drops
-hair ties
-bobby pins
-Tampons
-tweezers
-Tide to-go mini
-floss
-nasal decongestant
-floss
-toothpaste
-Neosporin "Neo to go!"

(Okay, so a few items have went missing when I got a new bag for Christmas, but they'll be back!)

And I'm sure you're wondering: if this is what is in your bag, what is in your car?

Probably not as much as expected, since I often ride the metro to work.  Sage interpreter advice recommends keeping an extra change of clothes in your car, which I don't have at the moment since I don't have enough professional attire at the moment.  But, you will find a map, GPS, cell phone charger, hair brush, mp3 player charger, pillow, pens, CDs, quarters for parking and tolls...

This might seem like overkill, but several items were added after I found myself needing something that I didn't have.  As a I mentioned before, interpreters needed to be prepared for anything.  I always figure it's better to be safe than sorry!