There have always been problems between deaf persons and interpreters.  This is because some interpreters are overly confident of their abilities.  They do not always interpret well.  Even though the deaf tell them this, they will not always listen.

Interpreters sometimes take it upon themselves to create signs for the deaf community.  They do not ask the deaf community to give them signs.  The deaf continue to tell them they are wrong in doing this, but they will not listen.  Sign language belongs to the deaf, just as spoken language belongs to the hearing.  Would a hearing person accept that the deaf invent words to be used in the spoken language.

To be a good interpreter, it is extremely important to spend a lot of time with the deaf.  Reading books about sing language and taking sign language courses is not enough.  It is hard for hearing person to understand our life and how we see the world.  It is different for hearing people.

Interpreters should try to become part of the deaf world and to try to understand deaf culture.  An interpreter must spend long hours - maybe even years - mixing with deaf people.  Deaf person and interpreters must become true friends… almost like twins.  They should understand each others thoughts.  In some ways they should become one.

The job of interpreter is one of the most important jobs in the world.  Why?  I shall tell you:  You, the interpreter,, … you are my hands.  My hands say what is in my heart.  With my hands I tell you about my happiness, my sorrow.  With my hands I tell you about my life… I tell you everything.  My hands are my voice… my deaf voice.  You the interpreter, you become my lifeline.  You are my hands.

God gave deaf people the ability to know almost immediately if an interpreter is doing an honest job of interpreting.  A deaf person will quickly establish confidence in an interpreter whom he senses is honest in his interpretation.

Compare a deaf person to a plant.  If you water it, it will prosper and flourish and it will give to you.  If you do not water it, it will become fragile and weak.

Deaf people are very sensitive to body language.  A deaf person can sense almost immediately if an interpreter is bored or tired.  The deaf person will probably be hurt if he sense this and may interpret it as rejection on the part of the interpreter.  An interpreter should never place himself in the position of thinking that he is superior to the deaf person.  He should look at the deaf person as his equal.

When an interpreter is working he must give his utmost concentration to the job at hand.  He should not make the deaf person feel that his thoughts are somewhere else.  Making a lot of money as an interpreter should not be an important issue.  The most important thing is to concentrate on giving a good interpretation.  An interpreter should always remember that he is the deaf person's lifeline.

At social events where all invitees are hearing persons, the interpreter should not leave the deaf person to fend on his own.  This is the worst thing that can happen to any deaf person.  It will cause him great embarrassment to be faced with trying to communicate with the hearing world.  If an interpreter must leave a deaf person on his own, he should explain this so that he (the deaf person) may leave the gathering.

A good and lasting relationship between a deaf person and an interpreter is established when the interpreter tries to put himself in the deaf person's place, and in his world, and tries to think as a deaf person might think.