How to Communicate With a Deaf Person Through an Interpreter

1

Don't engage directly with the interpreter.  Don't think of a sign language interpreter as a third party in the conversation, but instead as a tool through which the Deaf person speaks and understands language. This one simple rule will help you to avoid most faux pas. You may be introduced to the interpreter at the beginning of the conversation, but otherwise remember that he or she is being paid to do a job, and you should speak directly with the Deaf person.

• Don't ask the interpreter's opinion, tell the interpreter not to interpret something you've said, or look at the interpreter when you're talking.
• Even though the Deaf person's "voice" is coming from the side, which may feel strange at first, you should keep your eyes on the Deaf person and speak and react as if he or she were speaking aloud.

2

Let the Deaf person and the interpreter position themselves as needed.

Depending on where you are, there may be issues with lighting or positioning. To understand a conversation fully, the Deaf person needs to be able to see the interpreter and you clearly, and the interpreter needs to be able to see the Deaf person clearly. Normally, the interpreter will sign to your side so that both people who sign are facing one another. In a group with one or more Deaf people and one or more hearing people, this can get a little more complicated. Be flexible and offer to move, have a seat, or do whatever is best for everyone.

3

Speak and gesticulate normally. If the Deaf person reads lips, he or she will probably be looking between the interpreter's hands and face, your lips, and your gestures to get a full picture of the conversation. Continue to face the Deaf person you're speaking with and speak with a normal tone and volume. If your conversation partner is reading lips, speaking more loudly, softly, or with exaggeration will actually make you harder to understand. You shouldn't speak more "flatly" than usual, either. A good interpreter will pick up your tone, and your face will also communicate tone.

4

Be sensitive of a lag in interpreting. You should speak at a normal pace and follow the usual rules in conversation, but do allow for pauses where appropriate. Keep in mind that there will always be a slight lag between what you say and what the interpreter signs––if the Deaf person wants to interject something, but you keep going, there will either be a lot of interrupting in the conversation or a one-sided discussion. You also may need to make allowances for an interpreter, for example if the interpreter is not a licensed interpreter but instead a friend, family member, or someone else who signs but doesn't normally interpret.

• Even licensed interpreters vary in skill level and familiarity with a particular Deaf person.
• It's possible that if the interpreter and the Deaf person are from different regions, they may naturally sign differently, which makes for slower or more confusing interpretation. In fact, there are even Deaf interpreters who interpret into more natural ASL (or another sign language) from the hearing interpreter's version.
• If there seems to be a long lag at the end of a sentence, or the interpreter is signing slowly or pausing a lot, or you notice confusion overall, slow down a little and pause more.