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Interpreter for the Deaf

Interviews

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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.