As I have pondered upon the content of this post over the past week, conflicting thoughts and emotions have surged within. This post is not to explain or bring to your awareness linguistics, or sign choices, or culture. Instead, I wish to impress upon you the importance of kindness. We have all heard the adage: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” As children, this is repeated over and over by peers, parents, teachers, and others we come in contact with; some of these people have what they believe to be our “best interest” at heart, others do it to pour salt over an open wound. Whatever the reason, your words (and actions), my words (and actions), can AND do hurt our brothers and sisters.
Professionally, I was taught to separate myself from “the work”. We practiced in class how to critically analyze ourselves and others ONLY in the sense of the work we produced. Was I able to accurately convey the message? What did I notice in the work of another that I can learn from: something not to do or something that worked well that I might want to try myself? This is how we grew. We did not belittle. We did not gossip about another person’s work or their character. We supported one another as best we could. Our teachers told us they viewed us as equals, as co-workers, because upon graduation, there was a good chance we would be working side by side one day. Being an American Sign Language Interpreter is a choice I made for a career.
Often, at church, those who are interpreting are called to serve with little to no knowledge of ASL, Deaf culture, Deaf history, interpreting models, etc. Your brothers and sisters have families, work, challenges, and they have willingly accepted a call from the Lord to learn ASL and to learn how to interpret. This is no small task. It is not a career choice. It is not something they typically have 30+ hours a week to devote to study as do those who are enrolled in an ITP/IPP. And they may be trying to figure this out on their own without the benefit of professional training.
Is the gospel message important? Absolutely! In all of the work I have done over the years, I personally feel it is one of the most vital messages to clearly and accurately interpret for this message carries with it the power to heal souls and help people find the path leading back home. What more important message is there than to know of the love your Savior and Father in Heaven have for you?
“God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” How does any of what I’ve said relate to kindness?
One of my callings is the Interpreter Teacher. I see the intimate challenges of those who are called to serve in the ward as ASL Interpreters as well as ASL service missionaries. When professional interpreters visit and make comments about the skill level of those who have been called and are putting their best effort into learning a language, culture, and interpreting process, I feel ashamed of the profession I have chosen. I feel anger. I feel a desire to protect my brothers and sisters who have been called to serve. I feel hurt.
Last week, we had such a visitor. Her words have hurt my friend and fellow interpreter. My friend was considering going back to school to get her degree in ASL Interpreting…until last Sunday. She has chosen not to pursue this degree now. She doesn’t want to be a part of a career where we tear each other down instead of build each other up. She has been pursuing this dream for a year; it is now lost. This past week I have been quite distressed due to the words and ramifications of what transpired at church. The actions of this other interpreter hurt me, and my friend.
I have another interpreter friend who, before we met, was told by a professional interpreter visiting the ward: “You shouldn’t be interpreting.” This woman, who later became my friend, was crushed. And when she and I met and she found out I was a professional interpreter, she was hesitant to fulfill her calling for fear that I would criticize her as well.
For those who serve in callings as interpreters, is the message produced always clear? No. And that is difficult for me to see. But, I made a decision years ago when I heard a new interpreter make a comment about her teacher/mentor; I can’t remember it exactly so I will paraphrase the concept:
I am grateful for my mentor. There were many times I knew she could put the message out clearly while I would struggle, but she allowed me the opportunity to learn and grow and I am a better interpreter today because of it.
I want to be that person. I have chosen to be that teacher/mentor who supports, encourages, shows by example when it’s my turn, answers questions when asked so as to provide a means for maximum growth. With the Lord at my side, this approach has led to miracles.
In contrast to last week’s negative and unsettling emotions, I found myself a visitor in a ward today. Also visiting was a young lady and her parents. As I sat in sacrament meeting, my eye caught the movement of hands. I glanced over and saw this mother doing her best to inconspicuously interpret for her daughter. For ten minutes I wondered if it would be alright to intrude and ask if they would like me to interpret. In the end, I decided to offer my services and they gratefully accepted. Another professional interpreter came in late. I interpreted for 20 minutes, as is standard in the industry, and then she walked up the aisle. I gave up my seat and she took my place and interpreted the last 20 minutes of the meeting. Without a need to argue or fight or criticize, she and I simply worked together to provide the best service we could. I left church today elated; opposite of how I left my home ward last week. I knew my Father in Heaven was watching today. I knew He knew what was needed for this young lady. And I knew He knew what I needed.
Please, let us be kind. I know it is not always easy. The Lord loves you. He will help you fulfill your calling without using words to hurt one another. Please trust Him and lean on Him. The natural man is strong; I feel I fight this often and I know it is arduous and exhausting. I also know the Lord has put people in my life to help me conquer what I cannot conquer alone sometimes. Don’t give in to the natural man’s desire to seek power over others by putting someone else down. Be kind.
ASL LDS Interpreters 