Sign Language in Demand

By Raymond J Trybus, Hillcrest

E-MAIL STORY

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 | I just saw Emily Alpert's article "Emergency En Espanol," and, like her, I applaud the local media for including Spanish translation of essential emergency information. It has been much harder, however, for us here at Deaf Community Services to get the same accommodation for information in sign language for persons who are deaf. Many sign language users are not fluent in written English, so captions, although excellent for some people, are of little or no help for others. County OES finally included our DCS-provided interpreter at all press conferences and briefings, but local TV stations varied in how well they used camera angles to consistently include the interpreter. We at DCS have provided sign language interpreters to deaf persons at Qualcomm and the other major evacuation centers around the clock, but there is no way our efforts can match what the media can do. The cost of multiple interpreters around the clock is also a significant problem for us, and we would appreciate any financial help readers can give us. Many hours of service were volunteered by interpreters, but we cannot serve as needed with volunteer help alone. Don't forget your family members, friends, and neighbors who are deaf.

4 Comments so far on this story...

I want to dispute the following line: "Many sign language users are not fluent in written English, so captions, although excellent for some people, are of little or no help for others." This is total baloney and Dr. Trybus knows it. I understand that he is doing a good thing because there are Deaf people out there who need ASL interpreters because they cannot understand captions but it isn't because they are sign language users. It is because our education system fails some Deaf people at a young age and they don't get to develop the neccessary English skills to understand captions but Deaf people aren't the only people who have these issues. Try ordering a Big Mac at McDonalds by writing on a napkin and I guarantee you 1 out of 3 times the worker will call the manager to read the napkin for you.

Posted by Pepe Cervantes | reply to this comment
October 24, 2007 11:32 pm

I was also struck by the fact that the ASL interpreter was inconsistently pictured during the press conferences. It wasn't just camera angles, but some stations were splitting the screen into two frames, shrinking the news conference to a size that was probably useless to anyone trying to see (read?) the ASL translation. The other frame was of course used to replay all the most dramatic camera footage of fire that had already been beaten to death by overplay.

Posted by Brad D | reply to this comment
October 26, 2007 3:06 pm

The more we speak out on providing interpreters on-screen during emergency situations, the more they will take it seriously. Whether they provide a terp in a bubble on-screen and/or include them next to the speaker at the press conference, newscast, etc. With modern technology, there's no excuse for this not to be available. Caption services are applauded, however, they may not be as beneficial for all. Also, all television stations do not provide closed captioning. Some only provide captioning during certain hours. In case of an emergency, it's not enough. I'm just glad the word is getting out there promoting equal access for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. :)

Posted by Sunshine the Terp ;) | reply to this comment
November 5, 2007 3:29 pm

English and ASL are two separate languages. They are different from each other and each should be respected individually. They should not be combined as in sim- com or SEE. Mixing the two languages together makes the meaning of each language less understandable. I read some articles at deafloves com and many people are discussing ...... As you know this is a niche deaf dating site and for deaf and HOH singles. Hundreds of new members daily join.

Posted by deafsi | reply to this comment
January 14, 2008 12:37 am

Reader feedback

Users may post more than one comment, but should not pose as multiple users. Multiple posts from the same IP address but with a different user name on each will be reviewed to determine whether abuse has occurred.
Posts with overly personal attacks or unsubstantiated allegations may be edited or deleted.
Please be patient with the posts -- there may be a delay before they appear on the site -- and make sure to enter the code in the "image verification" box.