LC Interpreting Services is now SignNexus!
SignNexus sets the standard for excellence and efficiency when accommodating the diverse communication and cultural needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.
SignNexus is a distinguished interpreting agency that specializes in American Sign Language, International Sign, and other sign language modalities. On-site and Remote Sign Language Interpreting Services are available to help organizations fulfill their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
SignNexus offers Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, also known as Realtime Captioning, for live events. Remote Captioning Services are also available to facilitate ADA compliant accessibility for virtual events on any platform.
SignNexus Interpreters and Captioners have extensive experience in a variety of specialized settings.
Picture this: you’re attending a lecture from a highly respected professional in your field. The lecture was well publicized and draws a large regional or national audience. When this person takes the stage to speak, however, you can hardly understand a word they say. Your peers are jotting down notes and nodding their heads in agreement, but you feel completely lost. When the lecture ends, the other attendees all begin discussing the topics amongst themselves, but once again you are left out of the conversation.
This frustrating experience might be all to familiar for conference attendees who are deaf. Organizing a conference takes a great deal of preparation, but one thing that frequently gets overlooked is the quality of sign language interpreters. After investing months of energy into creating a successful event, it only makes sense to provide equal access for all individuals. When experts take the stage to address the audience, their precise message should be clear to everyone in attendance. When attendees are debating hot industry topics and building their networks, people who are deaf deserve reliable access to the conversations around them.
Providing qualified Platform Interpreters, also known as Conference Interpreters, helps ensure that people who are deaf can access and participate equally in organized events such as lectures, seminars, workshops, trainings, and professional development events. The services of these interpreters will be utilized during formal presentations, breakout sessions, and all social opportunities throughout the conference. High quality Platform Interpreters possess a skill set which enables them to accurately communicate the important and often specific information being presented in real-time.
People around the world watched on television as the interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s funeral signed nonsense to deaf South Africans. It was a very public example of an unfortunate problem. This type of service is unacceptable, and it is the responsibility of event organizers to make sure that deaf attendees get the quality of communication access that they deserve.
Basic fluency in the spoken and signed languages is a good start but, above and beyond that, qualified Conference Interpreters will be certified professionals with strong language skills and experience. They will also understand any topical vocabulary and common industry phrases. Since most conference interpreting happens simultaneously, meaning the interpreter is providing interpretation at the same time the message is being delivered, they must have a firm grasp of the overall message so they can follow along with the speakers.
Simultaneous interpreting can be a real challenge without sufficient preparation. To accurately represent both event speakers and deaf consumers, qualified Conference Interpreters will do their homework. They will research the mission of the organization and the intention of the event. They will learn the names of the presenters and a little bit about their background. A great Platform Interpreter will request conference documents, multimedia, and speakers notes in advance. They know the speaker’s motives and are able to faithfully deliver their message.
A high quality Conference Interpreter learns how the event will be set up and how the schedule is expected to flow before the interpreting assignment begins. They know the best place to sit or stand during each portion of the conference and will educate the organizers to be sure they are placed in such a way that deaf attendees have full access to the speaker, presentation, or group.
Conferences are whirlwind events which can overwhelm individuals who aren’t skilled at managing multiple tasks. Interpreters will be utilized during all the different presentations, breakout sessions, workshops, socializing, and networking possibilities
Qualified Conference Interpreters should be flexible, yet organized to meet the needs of deaf consumers. They are confident in their preparation, yet able to roll with the changes that are often inevitable in a large coordinated event.
Depending on the length of the event, the type of event, and the number of deaf attendees present, interpreters will be working in a team of at least two, possibly more ASL interpreters. Supporting the team is one of the most important roles of a Conference Interpreter. Interpreters must communicate their needs while meeting the expectations of other interpreters and deaf consumers.
The interpreting team should be well-coordinated and always working together to ensure accurate and clear communication access.
Qualified Conference interpreters keep one another informed and on point. They will also advocate for the use of CDIs whenever appropriate.
Qualified Conference Interpreters will ensure they have adequate working conditions. This includes contacting the event organizer and letting them know the technical requirements or providing service. Interpreters should also be ready to educate hearing entities about the basic function of an ASL interpreter and how to work with one. In some instances, interpreters must advocate to be on stage, on camera, or near a presenter.
A good Platform Interpreter knows his or her limits and will not take on an assignment outside the scope of their skill set. Additionally, they will not accept an assignment where they feel a personal bias or ethical conflict might prevent them from effectively facilitating communication.
SignNexus is pleased to offer qualified Conference Interpreters in New York City for a wide variety or entertainment or professional events. We make the process for securing interpreters and providing equal access as simple as possible. SignNexus offers quality services for deaf consumers with a strong emphasis on client satisfaction.
References:
– http://aiic.net/page/628/practical-guide-for-professional-conference-interpreters/lang/1
– http://www.streetleverage.com/2011/07/conference-interpreting-there-are-rules-of-engagement/
– http://www.streetleverage.com/2013/12/sign-language-interpreters-how-to-avoid-being-abandoned-at-the-microphone/
– http://asnwonline.com/coordinating-interpreters-for-conferences/
Imagine being detained in a foreign country: the police approach you, using a language you can not understand, and hold you for questioning. You aren’t able to protect your rights, in fact you might not even know what rights you have. After attempting to answer the police questions, you get locked in jail; maybe for a night or maybe for a week, you’ve no idea how long you will be there. All throughout the process, the legal advocates who are assigned to your case do not seem capable or knowledgable about what your communication needs are. Nobody can explain what is happening, and it feels like nobody is really trying.
For people who are deaf, this frightening scenario can play out right in their own backyard, right here in the United States. Cultural misunderstandings and language barriers make the American justice system a dangerous place for those who rely on ASL as their primary form of communication.
Deaf and Deaf-Blind people who are involved with the justice system, whether it is at a crime scene, court house, law office, or prison, suffer great injustice when they are not provided the appropriate accommodations. In scenarios where a deaf person who uses ASL is involved with the law, a highly qualified Legal Interpreter will often be the best accommodation.
A Legal Interpreter’s work is certainly not limited to courtroom settings. A Qualified Legal Interpreter is the appropriate accommodation for any interaction between attorneys and deaf clients, such as consultations. Qualified Legal Interpreters should be present during any client depositions, witness interviews, and administrative or legislative hearings. They should also be utilized for court-ordered treatment and education programs, and for meetings between deaf individuals and representatives of the court.
Qualified Legal ASL Interpreters possess a specific skill set which enables them to facilitate clear communication and deaf participation in the justice system. Deaf people have a legal right to a qualified interpreter, and the importance of their expertise can not be emphasized enough.
When one wrong word or misinterpretation can have major consequences on a person’s life, accurate communication is critical. A qualified Legal Interpreter will be highly fluent in both spoken language and ASL, or any other communication modalities used by the deaf consumer.
A great Legal Interpreter recognizes when an assignment is beyond his or her interpreting abilities, and will help connect the consumer with a more appropriate service provider, for example a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) whose is specially trained to work with Deaf individuals who are not fluent in ASL. With a person’s rights are on the line, there is no room for doubt.
The legal system is full of specific terminology. Most people don’t use words like “arraignment” or “grand jury charges” in casual conversation. Qualified Legal Interpreters understand what these complicated words and concepts mean, and are able to accurately convey them to deaf consumers.
Working in the legal system provides a certain set of challenges. A qualified Legal Interpreter will ensure the deaf individual has full access to safe communication, and will be able to accurately interpret concepts along the way. To provide this level of access, Legal Interpreters must have a thorough knowledge of the justice system and legal terminology. Their vocabulary must be current and representative of modern legal practice.
Legal Interpreters are not attorneys, but they do need to understand standard legal procedures. From Miranda Rights to legal consultations, a qualified interpreter will know how the process works and how to accurately interpret these complex concepts. They can convey how certain actions, for example mediation, can impact the outcome or deaf individual’s rights. Qualified Legal Interpreters know the roles of each individual — police, public defender, district attorney, judge, prison guard, etc– and will interact with these people accordingly.
The justice system has it’s own professional culture, which includes certain customs and expectations, such as standing when a judge enters the room. The role of a qualified Legal Interpreter is to help bridge the gap between the many facets of “Law Culture” and Deaf Culture. They will be able to negotiate cultural differences which might have negative consequences for the deaf consumer. Ultimately, they will help educate both deaf and hearing parties about their role, leading to more accurate communication.
When a person’s rights or freedoms are on the line, every bit of information matters. The role of Legal Interpreter requires a very detail-oriented personality.
A qualified interpreter will get as much background on the situation as possible for context and request advance materials so they are prepared. For example, when assisting an attorney in gathering discovery, the interpreter will ask for the discovery request papers ahead of time and then ask the attorney for clarification if they feel certain questions might be confusing to the deaf individual. Legal Interpreters should take notes on specialized names and places used during the assignment which can be used to reference.
Clear and accurate communication is critical to the justice process, yet there are states in this country which require no licensure for interpreters. This means there may be no minimum standards or screening. This can leave deaf consumers in a situation where they are the only ones who know an interpreter’s skill level and experience are not a good fit.
To address this issue, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) has developed the Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L) credentials that indicate minimum levels of competency to interpret in legal settings. Interpreters who hold a SC:L have passed both a knowledge and performance exam which tests their ability to provide services in a legal setting. They have also logged hundreds of hours of training and field experience. To ensure equal access is provided and the deaf individual’s rights are protected, a qualified Legal Interpreter will have an SC:L.
Because the law and justice process is constantly evolving, an qualified Legal Interpreter will engage in continuous professional development. An interpreter can not ethically serve deaf consumers if their skills are out of date, or if their knowledge is no longer current. A qualified Legal Interpreter will stay abreast of relevant cases, terminology, and common practices to provide the best level of service. To stay up to date, Legal Interpreters should frequently engage with others in the fields of both law and interpreting.
Legal Interpreting is a complex and mentally fatiguing job which typically requires a team of interpreters. The interpreters work together to relieve each other, and also to monitor each other’s work for accuracy. A great Legal Interpreter always works to support the team, ensuring accuracy and clarity in all communications.
Sometimes deaf consumers are not fluent ASL users, prefer another sign language modality, or have not received a formal education, therefore utilize an idiosyncratic system of gestures and home signs. Years of experience has shown that native deaf users of ASL are the most effective people to bridge this communication gap. A qualified Legal Interpreter will advocate for the use of CDIs, and understand the important role a CDI plays when communicating with native signers.
Legal matters can be highly sensitive. Qualified Legal Interpreters must be well prepared and have a strong sense of personal boundaries to help identify potential conflicts of interest. Personal bias, involvement with individuals in a case, or previous knowledge of a case are a few of the many reasons a qualified Legal Interpreter might turn down an assignment.
Interpreting within the justice system might also involve interpreters in legal matters, for example an interpreter who works with police might be called as a witness to defend their work. Qualified Legal Interpreters uphold the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) Code of Conduct, provide ethical service at all times, and know how to protect themselves and their work.
While all interpreters should be punctual, it is critical that interpreters who are called by police arrive as soon as possible to the scene. Not having communication access to police right away can have serious consequences for the deaf individual. Sadly, many deaf individuals have been coerced into giving false statements to police, or they were provided an interpreter who did not accurately convey their statement. Getting a qualified Legal Interpreter to the scene is absolutely necessary for equal access.
Often times, people working within the legal system have no idea what the legal rights of deaf people are or how to ensure those rights are upheld. A qualified Legal Interpreter is willing to work with police, attorneys, judges, and any other employee of the justice system to protect the rights of deaf Americans. They will provide basic cultural education, advocate for the use of CDIs or auxiliary communication tools, and encourage those within the justice system to learn how to work with people who are deaf and interpreters more effectively.
In our current society, where we see growing tension between civilians and the justice system, there is a critical need for respectful communication. People are getting lost in the legal loopholes, wrongfully incarcerated or, in some cases, losing their lives during police interactions. The lack of cultural competency within out justice system can be remedied, but only if those entities actively work with the civilian population to understand and appreciate diversity.
SignNexus understands the value of highly qualified Legal Interpreters and strives to provide top quality service for deaf consumers in the greater New York City area. SignNexus makes it simple to secure qualified legal interpreters with the skills and experience to ensure deaf individuals have full access to the justice system.
Resources:
RID Legal Interpreting Standard Practice Paper
http://nad.org/issues/justice/courts
http://nad.org/issues/justice/police-and-law-enforcement/communication-access
http://www.rid.org/rid-certification-overview/scl-certification/
http://www.najit.org/about/NAJIT%20Code%20of%20Ethics%202014NEW.pdf
http://www.signlanguageresourcesinc.com/LegalInterpreting.html
Everyone at the office calls your Deaf coworker Diane, but she is better known in the Deaf community as “Bright.” Bright is a genuine person who is always smiling and positive. Her cheerful name sign captures her personality way better than the name “Diane” ever could!
Many hearing people are surprised to learn that the Deaf community has it’s own unique naming system. The only true way to get a name sign is to be given one by individuals who are deaf, since ASL is their native language. Name signs come in all forms. Some are based on the person’s birth name or initials, for example, someone named Amy could be an “A” that moves down the side of the face to signify long hair. Some are based on their physical features or personality traits, such as Dimples or Motivated. And other name signs might be based on the person’s interests, like Dance or Star.
Once you have a name sign, good luck changing it on your own! On the other hand, deaf people might change your name sign if they feel a different name suits you better. For example, I was given a name sign by my mother who is deaf. My original name sign is an “L” that is waving, because as a child I was always waving at everyone. Once I moved to New York City and became involved in a much larger Deaf community, people began referring to me as “LC,” which identifies me by my initials so I can not be confused with someone else who has the same name sign. In my intimate circles, I remain true to my birth name sign, but in NYC my name sign has evolved.
Name signs are personally inspired and usually reflect some aspect of the individual. Those in the Deaf community know, this can be both a good and a bad thing. When people discuss you in ASL using your name sign, your reputation precedes you. Before people even meet you, they have an idea of who you are based on your name sign. Journalist Charlie Swinbourne explained how one of his deaf colleagues became known as Murder in an unfortunate re-naming incident. Some deaf friends thought it would be humorous one night to change the individuals last name from “Burder” to “Murder” and it ended up sticking. Although he was formerly known as Smooth, because of his skill with the ladies, he stopped getting dates once his new name got around. As one might expect, being called Murder can really impact a person’s life!
An ASL name is so much more than a nickname, it becomes a major part of your Deaf identity. Because an individual can not simply change their own name sign, these names carry a history and personality all their own. Each facial expression and classifier, which is a descriptive handshape, gives a little insight into who the individual is and how they are viewed by others. Take my deaf niece Jaisy, for example, who is known as Same. When Jaisy was just a newborn, her big sister took one look at her and signed “same” because the baby had the same hair and eye color as her. Her name is Jaisy, but people who know her use the sign for “same” to represent her in conversation. When she gets a little older, her mother will give her a new sign name that is more appropriate for her growing personality.
While it might seem like a novelty to hearing people, having an ASL name is very meaningful for those in the Deaf community, and it could even be considered an honor. Name signs are not used on documents and they are not spoken out loud. They are created and used exclusively by members of Deaf culture. These names aren’t just given out to anyone — they are a right of passage into the Deaf community. A name sign means you’re an active ASL user who is worthy of being more than B-O-B, or L-Y-D-I-A (finger spelled). To have a name sign means you are officially part of the Deaf world.
