Common terms used within the Deaf community

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Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
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Before the assignment/meeting, provide deaf participants and interpreters with materials such as outlines, agendas.
Speak directly to the deaf participant, not the interpreter. For example, "Tell me why you came in today" instead of "Ask her why she came today"
Speak at even pace in relatively short segments; pause often to allow the interpreter to interpret.
You do not need to speak especially slowly; this actually makes a competent interpreter's job more difficult.
Don't say anything that you don't want to be interpret.
Do not hold the interpreter responsible for what the deaf participant says or doesn't say.

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Common terms used within the Deaf community

Thursday, 01 January 2009 00:00

The American Deaf culture has labels for identifying its members. These labels reflect both cultural values and beliefs.

Deaf - This term refers to members of the Deaf community who share common values, norms,traditions, language, and behaviors. Deaf people do not perceive themselves as having lost something (i.e., hearing) and do not think of themselves as handicapped, impaired, or disabled. They celebrate and cherish their culture because it gives them the unique privilege of sharing a common history and language. Deaf people are considered a linguistic minority within the American culture. They have their own culture and at the same time live and work within the dominant American culture.

Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafened - Within the Deaf culture these words refer to a person’s audiological status. Notice lower case “d’” is used. People who describe themselves as “hard of hearing” or “deafened” do not see themselves as members of the Deaf culture. Some may know sign language but their primary language is English.

Hearing Impaired - This term often is used by the media and society in general to refer to people with a hearing loss. A more acceptable generic phrase is “deaf and hard of hearing” to refer to all people with a hearing loss. Within the Deaf culture, the term “hearing impaired” often is seen as offensive. It suggests that Deaf people are “broken” or “inferior” because they do not hear.

Hearing - Within the Deaf culture the term “hearing” is used to identify people who are members of the dominant American culture. One might think the ASL sign for “hearing” is related to the group’s ability to hear (e.g., pointing to the ear). However, the sign for “hearing” is related to the ability to “talk.” The act of talking is clearly visible to Deaf people, whereas listening or hearing is not. From the Deaf culture perspective, it is the act of “talking” that clearly separates the two groups.