I was recently contacted by a father about his interpreting dilemma. He had arranged with an agency to provide an interpreter for his child at synagogue. Once arranged, he had invited other deaf people to attend. The regular interpreter was called away at the last minute and a substitute was sent. He was never informed; rather one of the deaf guests was notified. In addition, the interpreter was positioned badly for his child to see. The interpreter did not make any attempt to get the child’s attention during the service. Here was my response to him:
First, the agency should always contact you (the originator of the request) if there are changes in the arrangements.
Second, if you happen to know the interpreter personally and work together on a regular basis, I would think she/he would have called you him/herself (although s/he is not required to do this if she/he is working through an agency).
Third, it is NOT the interpreter’s job to ask your child to pay attention or to “kick” him/her. That is a parent’s role. Your child, however, may tend to watch someone s/he knows more attentively.
Fourth, both the client and the rabbi should determine the interpreter’s placement. The interpreter should arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the service to finalize this information. Often a music stand or podium is provided. This would be placed in the proper location prior to the service. This would communicate to the interpreter where she/he should stand. The interpreter should always check in with you and/or the rabbi prior to the service to confirm all this. I find it hard to imagine that the interpreter just started doing his/her thing without conferencing with you.
Fifth, you (as the client) should arrive early and grab a prime seat. Otherwise, it is usually first come, first serve. Either hearing people will take the good seats or other deaf people will take the seat you want for your child.
Sixth, I am sorry to say that once you invite all the deaf people to the service, they ALL become the “clients” (not only your child). The interpreter will choose the language mode, etc. according to the whole group. Interpreters will stand where ALL can see. Therefore, your child should be in the middle. If s/he is off to the side, the interpreter cannot go to the side of the deaf group but must be in a place most accessible to all.
Unfortunately, all this puts a double burden on you, both as the contact person and the father of the deaf child. You need to keep your eye out for the interpreter to give him/her instructions while also reserving a prime seat for your child and yourself.
What do you think? Please feel free to contact me c/o JDCC, by fax (215) 682-9742 or via e-mail [email protected].
JDCC ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT
Jewish Interpreter Referral Network
ATTENTION: Interpreters Wanted
We receive many requests for Jewish interpreters for different occassions such as Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, Bris, etc and we would like to be able to give qualified and experienced interpreters familiar with Judaism customs with the opportunity to do these jobs.
Please mark your applicable areas of speciality or interest:
_____Bris
_____Name Ceremony
_____Sunday School
_____Hebrew School (Week)
_____Jewish Day Schools (Everyday)
_____Bar/Bat Mitzvah
_____Wedding
_____Funeral
_____Lecture
_____Banquet
_____Tour
_____Holiday Service
_____Do you understand/speak Hebrew
_____Can you read Hebrew?
_____Have you been to Israel
_____When
JDCC will call you when there is a request for any of the listings you marked above.
NAME:_________________________________
ADDRESS:_____________________________
CITY/STATE/ZIP:_________________________
NOTE: A contribution of $36 will place you on the top “priority list”.
