Suggestions / Feedback

• Speak clearly and at a normal pace. Be sure to speak at a moderate rate when reading.

• Address the Deaf or hard of hearing individual(s) personally and directly. To direct questions or comments to the interpreter, “tell him…” or “ask her…..” is to risk
alienating the Deaf person.

• Be aware that the interpreter may be a sentence or two behind the person communicating. This is part of the interpreting process. Expect slight delays in getting responses to questions or in the next “turn” in the conversation.

• Allow the interpreter to place herself/himself appropriately. It is usual for the interpreter to be situated near the hearing person, thus providing the necessary visual accessibility to the Deaf or hard of hearing conversation partner. Lighting, glare, and sight-lines are also important.

• Supply the interpreter with any materials, hand-outs, etc. for review, in order to facilitate a clearer interpretation. This is especially important with technical and detailed materials.

• Although it may be tempting, don’t try to include the interpreter as a member of the group activities or the discourse for which he or she is interpreting. The interpreter is there only to provide a service.