How to work with and Deaf Interpreters

AUSLAN > As well as being suitable for Breaks are even more important than Auslan (Australian Sign the settings mentioned above with regular interpreting, and should ) is the language of the Level 3 interpreters should be be taken more often. Australian Deaf Community. It is the engaged for all Court or legal preferred language of the majority of assignments, police work, Correct seating can also reduce the Deaf . It is a highly visual mental health and conferences. risk of strain or injury; both parties language using signs, enhanced should be comfortable and at an equal height. Specially designed facial expressions and body Occupational Health and language to communicate. cushioned tables for is Safety Requirements available. Working with AUSLAN Two interpreters are required Interpreters Deaf Interpreters Auslan interpreters convey meaning for sessions over one hour. They from spoken English into Auslan and work together in tandem to vice versa, and may be either prevent mental and physical A Deaf interpreter is a person who is simultaneous or consecutive. The fatigue, and to comply with themselves Deaf, and like an Auslan following factors are important to Occupational Health and Safe- interpreter is highly skilled translating keep in mind when requesting an ty standards. By having from one language to another. They Auslan interpreter: interpreters work in tandem it transfer meaning between Auslan ensures smooth uninterrupted and an alternate form of Qualification level of the communication between all communication that can be Interpreter: parties. understood by individuals who are NAATI (the National Accreditation not using standard Auslan. Authority for Translators and Inter- Deafblind/Tactile preters) provides the accreditation Deaf interpreters work together with for Auslan interpreters. There are Interpreting an Auslan interpreter who will first currently two different levels of interpret English to Auslan for the accreditation; Para-professional Used by people who are both Deaf interpreter. “Level 2’ and Professional “Level 3” Deaf and have vision impairment. The Deafblind indi- > Level 2 interpreters are suitable for vidual places their hands over Centrelink and medical appoint- the interpreter’s and reads the ments, education, general workplace signs through touch and meetings etc. . This can be exhausting for both the Auslan has its own distinct structure, interpreter and the Deafblind client. which differs from English, for example:

ENGLISH sentence construction: I saw a beautiful black cat this morning

AUSLAN sentence construction: Cat, black, I saw this morning, beautiful

languageloop.com.au How to work with Auslan and Deaf Interpreters

Why are Deaf interpreters > Allow time for the Deaf person Live Captioning necessary? to read any The instantaneous verbatim Deaf interpreters are often used in materials before transcription of spoken English into situations where clients may: continuing. Deaf people are text. Live captioning is available > Use a foreign ; unable to watch the interpreter through SLC VIC, using qualified > Have minimal or limited and read at the same time. It is stenographers, who can work communication skills. important to remember this if onsite or remotely via a telephone or > Use nonstandard signs or gestures that overheads or audio link. This is fast and accurate may be unique to their community or presentations are being used or compared to notetaking. Captions background. are displayed through a projector or > Be Deafblind or Deaf with a visual notes need to be taken. can be viewed through supported impairment. > In accordance with Occupa- devices such as laptops, tablets or Tips for successful tional Health and Safety issues, smartphones. Interpreting sessions: regular breaks should be negotiated prior to Video Relay and Skype Interpreting > Ensure lighting and seating commencement. SLC VIC provides Video Relay arrangements allow for clear Interpreting (VRI) and Skype communication to take place. It is > Sometimes it is interpreting over the internet, best if the interpreter is seated next necessary to have two or more enabling interpreting services to be to the main speaker, with the deaf interpreters working in tandem. delivered remotely. client seated at the front. This usually occurs if the appointment is > The interpreter does not give a About VICDEAF and SLC VIC longer that one hour. The need literal word for word interpretation, for tandem but an abridged version. This may Vicdeaf is a statewide provider for interpreting can be take more or less time, depending on Deaf and hard of hearing people. clarified with SLC VIC. the differences between . Vicdeaf’s vision is ‘Access and equity

for Deaf and hard of hearing Victo- > The Deaf person will look at the Other services rians’. interpreter and also at the person Notetaking speaking when appropriate. The Notetakers are used for Deaf Established in 1884, Vicdeaf is the speaker should look at the Deaf or hard of hearing clients who primary source of reference, referral, person, not the interpreter. do not use Auslan or another advice and support for Deaf and sign language. They provide hard of hearing Victorians. accurate, legible notes to assist communication and between parties and for records. Note- Sign Language Communications Vic- takers must abide by profes- toria (SLC VIC) is a division of Vicdeaf, sional ethical standards at all and is the largest and most experi- times. enced provider of AUSLAN services, with interpreters, tactile interpreters, Deaf interpreters, notetaking and live captioning available.

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