|
The Deaf Culture is complex in that it has an infinite number of varieties in how the clients, Deaf individuals, communicate their ideas. The most important concept to understand is:
American Sign Language is not ENGLISH
There are Deaf individuals. There are hard-of-hearing individuals. There are Deafened Adults that do not understand sign language. There are clients that have very little if any language. Now, add to this the Deaf client that comes from another country and their native sign is different from the sign language used here in the United States and you can start to understand some of these complexities.
Why doesn't the Deaf individual speak out? For many years the Deaf client had been without interpreters. Subsequently, Deaf clients were given inferior interpreters which created the “warm body” scenario. A ‘not-so-good’ interpreter was better that NO interpreter at all. The loop of providing inefficient services began.
 |
Now add Legalese!
There is a respect that should be given to the law. Everyone that has passed their bar has this respect – however from time to time this respect of the legal language is dropped with the hiring of interpreters that have had NO legal training.
How can someone off the street represent your client with the understanding of the procedures and the nuances involved in a legal setting…THEY CAN'T. Even with very good ASL skills, an interpreter without the knowledge of — and the background of — legal training will not be representing the language or the message from either the client or the attorney.
Ask yourself these important questions...
| • | How can an officer, when making an arrest, know that the “message” is really being interpreted? |
| • | How can an attorney verify that what is occurring within the deposing process is accurate? |
| • | How can a judge verify that what is occurring within the trial is efficient and effective in communicating the message? |
Accountability rests on all of us.
 |
There are many qualified trainers, however some stand out from the rest. Some trainers are attorneys, some are the forerunners that established the standard of accountability.
There are avenues to find an appropriately trained interpreter. We make this information known to every agency. With Pula accountability is achievable and integrity is guaranteed.
Contact Pula Legal Interpreting now
 |
| If you have questions, Click Here for more information |