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Confessions of a Sign Language Interpreter

By Sean Lehosit

Columbus, Ohio has become a very diverse city over the years. One of the larger communities that some people might not be aware exists as strongly as it does is the Deaf community, which is built upon a strong and intimate foundation. This week, UWeekly sat down to speak with an individual who interacts with the deaf community on a regular basis so that those unfamiliar with the deaf culture may gain an insight into such a rich and vast community.

UWeekly: You currently work as an American Sign Language Interpreter, which makes me have to ask, is there non-American sign language?
There definitely is. While American Sign Language has spread somewhat, and can be seen in a few countries throughout the world, the majority of countries have their own indigenous sign language. There is everything from Auslan, which is used in Australia, to Italian sign language to South African sign language.

UW: What inspired you to break into this field of work?
Mostly, it was the realization that I could not live without doing this kind of work. I began learning American Sign Language (ASL) in high school and as I got closer to graduation, I knew my plans for college and life beyond had to include interpreting. I absolutely love it. I never have two days that are the same.

UW: What educational steps did you have to take in order to land a job in this field? Has the interpreting world been hit by the job recession?
I graduated from Columbus State's two-year Associate of Applied Science program in Interpreting/American Sign Language Education. Since then, I have continued to improve and enhance my skills by attending workshops, presentations and national conferences. I am also taking part in a four-year interpreting BA program. Education is only part of the process, though. One of the biggest factors is your attitude and your involvement with the deaf community. That's the most important thing. As far as the recession, I think it's been impacted somewhat. I haven't personally lost a position but I have heard stories. It's a hard situation for everyone.

UW: I've heard that the Deaf community is a tightly knit community. Would you say you've succeeded in crossing this cultural barrier?
Like I said before, I think the most important part is having the right attitude. That means respecting the deaf community, respecting their language and values and appreciating the contributions and gifts they have created as a unique community and cultural minority. It also means becoming aware of, and eliminating, audist beliefs practices. Audism is the oppression of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It's akin to racism, sexism, ageism, et cetera. These aren't the only things that need to be done in order to become affiliated with the deaf community, but they are certainly important and I feel as if I have accomplished them, yes.

UW: What's the biggest challenge as an interpreter?
The answer to this will most likely vary from interpreter to interpreter. Therefore, I do not feel it is really possible to pinpoint one singular challenge and call it the biggest one. Some things I personally find challenging are lack of preparation time and lack of knowledge about topic areas. I work primarily in educational settings (high school and college), so having time to prepare before class and familiarize myself with material is very important. It's much easier to interpret and convey a topic when you know more about the topic yourself.

UW: Could you share any interesting stories or bizarre encounters you've faced while on the job?
Unfortunately, I cannot share specific stories or tales. Trust me, there are plenty of them. However, ASL interpreters are bound by the certifying organization, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), to follow a Code of Professional Conduct, which includes confidentiality.

UW: What are some different avenues of work an interpreter can go into? What would you recommend for somebody wishing to get into this line of work?
Interpreting can take you so many places. There are interpreters who work in school systems, corporations, for agencies going from place to place, in hospitals, doctors' offices, emergency rooms, doing broadway shows, interpreting concerts for musicians, famous actors and politicians. The possibilities are pretty much endless. There are also interpreters who travel the world, interpreting for cruises and tour groups. My suggestion for someone who is interested in this line of work would be to start learning ASL and getting involved in the Deaf community. There are so many opportunities in Columbus.

Originally Published: November 4, 2009

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