Why is an interpreter needed?

Often a person is not completely deaf, as hearing loss can fall anywhere along the continuum from totally deaf to hearing. The amount of usable (or residual) hearing varies greatly from person to person. Depending upon the type of loss, the person may or may not benefit from the amplification that a hearing aid provides. Hearing aids only amplify sound; they do not make sound clearer. The severity of a person's hearing loss could be different at various frequencies. Therefore, the ability to hear different voices will vary depending on a number of factors, including the pitch of the voice. Also, it is important to note that the ability to hear a voice is different than the ability to discriminate between sounds and understand speech.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing, like people who are hearing, have different education levels. Knowledge of English grammar, syntax and spelling varies from individual to individual. A person who uses American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language of communication may or may not be proficient in using Standard English. For the most part, English is an oral/aural language designed to be spoken and heard. Therefore, it is quite challenging to learn and understand English when you cannot hear, especially when it varies so greatly from the structure and syntax of ASL. The person who is not proficient in English is not stupid or illiterate; he or she just uses a different language to communicate.
For many people who speak sign language, American Sign Language (ASL) is the first language that they acquire and use. ASL is a recognized language with a unique syntax, grammar and structure. It is not a form of English.

When is an interpreter needed?

The need for an interpreter depends on the situation and the people involved. Interpreters can be described as a communication link. Interpreters facilitate communication between hearing and deaf individuals. It is the responsibility of an interpreter to relay communication between two or more parties via sign language and voice. Interpreters sign everything that is said and say everything that is signed. Per the Code of Ethics for Interpreters, the interpreter is not permitted to voice personal opinions or enter the conversation. Interpreters can be needed in a variety of settings and situations from preschool to graduate school and any level in between. An interpreter can be needed in settings as intimate as a private therapy session or as public as a televised address at a national political convention. An interpreter can be needed anywhere a deaf or hard-of-hearing person lives, works or plays.

Where are interpreters used?

• Doctors offices 
• Hospitals
• Weddings
• Court rooms
• Police stations
• Churches
• Funerals
• Employment offices
• Airports
• Retail stores
• Law offices
• Immigration office
• Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Vocational guidance services
• Schools grades K-12
• Colleges
• Conferences & conventions
• Real estate offices
• Car dealerships
• Nursing homes
• Home health care providers
• Any place that employs a deaf individual

The function of the interpreter is to:

• Allow more direct communication
• Improve communication accuracy and avoid misunderstandings
• Decrease frustrations
• Raise the comfort level of those interacting
• Facilitate more complete communication so that both individuals feel free to ask questions and offer more in-depth explanations
• Save time
• Make clear any nonverbal communication