Learning Sign Language: ASL 4 – Unit 10 Sample

In this unit sample as you are learning sign language, you will be learning about ASL interpreting.

Conversation 4.10

Read this outline, and then watch the conversation in action in the video below. 

A: (get attention) KNOW-THAT ME GOAL ME WANT PROFESSIONAL SIGN ASL INTERPRETER ME ME WANT HELP DEAF PEOPLE ME GOAL ME
I want to become an ASL interpreter to help deaf people.

B: GREAT YOU WANT BECOME INTERPRETER BUT KEEP-IN-MIND DEAF PEOPLE THEY NOT NEED YOUR HELP
That’s great that you want to become an interpreter! However, keep in mind that deaf people do not need your “help.”

A: YOU MEAN? ME WANT HELP DEAF PEOPLE THEM
What do you mean? I want to help deaf people!

B: DEAF PEOPLE CAN #DO EVERYTHING THEMSELVES CAN INTERPRETER THEM FOR-FOR COMMUNICATE FACILITATE SHARE DEAF FINISH-FINISH PATERNALISM VIEW THAT LOOK-down BELIEVE DEAF PEOPLE NEED TAKE-CARE NO THAT CAN DANGER IN INTERPRET SITUATION
Deaf people can do everything on their own. Interpreters are communication facilitators for the deaf. And that’s it. The paternalistic view of deafness – the belief that deaf people need to be taken care of – can be dangerous in interpreting situations.

A: YOU MEAN PATERNALISM FORCE ME MAKE DECISION THEM DEAF PERSON ME HELP-them PATERNALISM THAT
Are you saying paternalism might make me make decisions for the deaf person that I think will help them?

B: RIGHT THEY NEED DECIDE THEMSELVES
That’s right. And they need to be able to make their own decisions.

A: OH-I-SEE
THANK-YOU INFORM-me ME
I see. Thank you for letting me know!

Conversation 4.10 Explained

This conversation is a great example of a common misconception with interpreting. Many people want to become interpreters to “help” Deaf people, but this conversation illuminates the truth. You will learn more about ASL interpreting in this unit.

B: GREAT YOU WANT BECOME INTERPRETER BUT KEEP-IN-MIND DEAF PEOPLE THEY NOT NEED YOUR HELP
That’s great that you want to become an interpreter! However, keep in mind that deaf people do not need your “help.”

Signer B uses a sign KEEP-IN-MIND here that looks like she is taking something and putting it in the back of her mind.

B: DEAF PEOPLE CAN #DO EVERYTHING THEMSELVES CAN INTERPRETER THEM FOR-FOR COMMUNICATE FACILITATE SHARE DEAF FINISH-FINISH PATERNALISM VIEW THAT LOOK-down BELIEVE DEAF PEOPLE NEED TAKE-CARE NO THAT CAN DANGER IN INTERPRET SITUATION
Deaf people can do everything on their own. Interpreters are communication facilitators for the deaf. And that’s it. The paternalistic view of deafness – the belief that deaf people need to be taken care of – can be dangerous in interpreting situations.

Signer B uses the sign FOR-FOR here which means “What for?” It is the sign FOR signed twice.

Take Our Free ASL 1 Course

This unit is just a sample of our complete course where you can learn American Sign Language quickly and easily. Enroll in our Free ASL 1 Course today!