Interviewing A Sign Language Intepreter

 An interpreter I interviewed has years of experience interpreting for deaf students. She is one of the people who have so much passion for the deaf. She has interpreted for me several times in the past. 

I felt she was qualified for the interview based on her credentials. The interpreter expressed concerns about what she had seen the past few decades.

Interpreter Stands Up for Deaf Children

Q: How did the "sit down and shut up" mentality affected deaf children, if known?

A: People who are deaf experience the world visually.  When a deaf child is told to "sit down and shut up", it is really ineffective discipline because they probably do not SEE their misbehavior.

   I would think that while the deaf child is sitting there, they are wondering why but they do not understand why. Communication is so important to people who are deaf. To deny a deaf child communication by telling them to "shut up" denies them of understanding.

Q: Why weren't the deaf children's opinions valued?

A:  Often, hearing parents think that their deaf child is stupid or ignorant. Even though the child does not experience the world through hearing.  Deaf people receive more information through their senses than hearing people do.

  Senses include attention to visual details, facial expressions and body language. Other senses may include attention to any details in the world, scents, feelings and vibrations.  However, hearing parents may or may not realize this, and may tend to focus more on the hearing loss rather than the child's abilities.

Q: What do the parents do for their children to get their education?

A: Hearing parents of deaf children are usually at a loss to learn about deafness.  They think the doctor is a reliable source of information. However, the doctor ascribes to the medical model of deafness which is "to fix it".  The doctor often will recommend cochlear implants and education in the oral method thereby forcing the child to emulate the hearing world.

  In this model, the deaf child often misses the Critical Language Learning Years as well as the opportunity to blossom and grow as a deaf person. Some parents will go ahead and learn American Sign Language (ASL), and use it as their primary communication mode in their home. However, they are very rare.

Q: How do you feel about deaf children not getting proper education?

A: My opinion is deaf children should immerse in ASL very early. If not, they will miss the Critical Language Learning Years.  When a child misses the Critical Language Learning Years, their ability to master ANY language later in life is limited.

  Therefore, when parents choose to force their children into the hearing world. To emulate a hearing person, they are further hindering their child's ability to experience, and to learn the world and life. Most importantly; in the scenario described, the parents are denying their deaf children the opportunity to be who they really are.

Q: How do you feel about the way deaf children were treated?

A: I hate to see deaf children being forced into Oral education, and being forced to get cochlear implants. Many adults think cochlear implants "fixes" deafness and make their children become hearing, and it does not. Why not let the child learn ASL early and blossom as a whole Human Being who happens to be Deaf?

Q: We all have potential, do you believe deaf children can live up to their potentials?

A:  Absolutely yes!  Especially when they have the opportunity to learn ASL as an infant, and are provided an education specifically focused on nurturing their abilities.