Interpreters help millions of deaf and hearing-impaired Americans deal
with the challenges of life. They use sign language and finger spelling to
help the deaf go to school and work, and enjoy life. They serve as a bridge
between the world of silence and the world of sound.
Richard Dirst was introduced to sign language as a child. Both his parents
are deaf, and he says he probably learned to sign before he learned to speak.
After graduating from college with a degree in history, he did volunteer work
with several organizations, including Alcoholics Anonymous. Work like this
led to a position teaching sign language to mentally disabled deaf children.
Eventually, Dirst returned to school and earned a master's degree
in rehabilitation counseling of the hearing impaired. Soon thereafter, he
was recruited by an agency that provides interpreting services.
In the recent past, most sign interpreters were friends of the deaf person
or members of their family. But more and more people like Dirst are earning
their living as interpreters. Many graduate from training programs offered
by colleges and universities.
Kate Nelson became acquainted with sign language at an early age. Her mother,
an instructor in a school for deaf children, taught her finger spelling. Her
interest in signing was renewed when she helped a neighbor's child enroll
in a sign language course.
Nelson decided to enroll too. She completed several more courses and began
to take on some interpreting assignments. When Good Vibrations, a theatrical
production, was staged at the college, she became part of the show, combining
her interpreting skills and her acting talents. After moving to California,
Nelson went to work for an independent organization.
The uncertainty of freelancing can be unnerving, but it provides many interpreters
with a freedom not found in salaried employment. "You must be able to deal
with an uncertain schedule and do without the fringe benefits that most people
take for granted," Nelson says. "But the thing I like is being in a different
situation every day."
Nelson's statement points toward one advantage of being a sign language
interpreter -- it's easy to move from job to job and place to place.
Interpreters can find work all over the country. Nelson was working two days
after she moved to California. "This is a good profession to be in, if you've
been properly trained."
"It's definitely more rewarding," agrees interpreter Monique Bozzner.
"It can also be, at times, more stressful, trying to keep up with what the
people are saying and having the stamina to keep going. But I truly feel like
I make a difference -- and that's so gratifying."
Another interpreter trying to make a difference is Keith Cagle, a sign
language teacher. "I invite many deaf adults to come to my class and talk
about their roles in the deaf community. Students are learning a lot of things
they never thought deaf people could have or do, such as using a TDD machine.
They didn't know deaf people had access to the telephone. They never
knew there are deaf lawyers, deaf doctors, [and] deaf professionals in many
fields."
Unless they have deaf friends or relatives, most hearing
people know little about deaf culture. Cagle encourages his students to learn
as much as possible, because he believes the language and culture are linked.