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Working with Deaf interpreters
9th July 2018 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Presenter:
Christopher Tester, MSc, CDI, SC:L, is Deaf and an actor, consultant, educator, and an interpreter. A seasoned presenter, he specializes in workshop and seminar facilitation on topics (not limited to) disability rights and laws, Deaf and hard of hearing awareness, and interpreting. He currently is an adjunct faculty member of the CUNY’s ASL/English Interpreter Education Program. He has interpreted for several off and on Broadway shows, National and International conferences, at the United Nations and specializes in legal interpreting.
Chris received MSc at Heriot Watt University and received his Bachelor’s degree at the College of the Holy Cross. Additionally, he received his Professional Certificate from the CUNY’s ASL/English Interpreter Education Program. He is currently a PhD student at Heriot Watt University and is living in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Webinar:
This study investigated how and when hearing interpreters in the United States decide there is a need for a Deaf interpreter for court proceedings. Previous publications have strongly suggested that it is best practice to work with a Deaf interpreter for specific situations (NCIEC, 2007). The author utilized two frameworks: Brennan & Brown’s (1997) Equality before the Law, and Mathers’ (2009) Deaf interpreters in court: an accommodation that is more than reasonable to design a study that will bring to light the criteria used by hearing ASL-English interpreters to determine when a Deaf interpreter should be utilized. This research also explored the hearing interpreter’s view of the Deaf interpreter and allowed for discussion of experience of working as the hearing member of a Deaf-hearing team in the courtroom. Findings suggest that hearing signed language interpreters are generally in alignment with best practices in working with Deaf interpreter specialists, but significant inconsistencies and barriers remain. Further research into this configuration and its accompanying dynamics is needed.
Learning outcomes:
- Participants will be able to articulate the top 2 rationales for bringing in deaf interpreter within the US context.
- Participants will have a better understanding of the suggested criteria for bringing in a Deaf interpreter
- Participants will identify potential barriers to consistent best practices among legal interpreters
- participants will have an increased understanding in the United States’ interpreting qualifications and certification.
The ASLI webinar programme is a member benefit and all webinars are free for members to attend. Please email training@asli.org.uk to book your place on this webinar.