becomingdeaf:





I am completely baffled by how many times the interpreters are asked to do something while they are in the middle of interpreting. At a conference, the speaker called the interpreter up to draw names for the raffle prize. In college, the professors seemed to confuse the interpreter with a teacher’s aide. Doctors have handed medicine over to the interpreters to hold, asked them to help me up, and have continued speaking the entire time.

Here’s a tip, presenters/teachers/all hearing people: despite what you may think, the interpreters are not there to entertain you. They are not there as an extra set of hands to help pass out papers, set up equipment, change slides, or anything other than to facilitate equal access to communication and information.