Yesterday and Tomorrow

Welcome to Celebrate Creativity - Episode 431 - Yesterday and Tomorrow

I mentioned that it was necessary to have a list of name signs when signing a play by William Shakespeare in an earlier podcast episode.  And I want to say a final note about that here.  What I always did when interpreting a play at the black fires Playhouse, I printed a sheet on my computer with ready set go - I doubt that anybody remembers that - a page making program where I could have eight or 10 pictures of various cast members and the name sign that I had given to that character. Obviously there wouldn't be enough room to have name signs for all the characters, but I would definitely have name signs for say major characters like Romeo, Juliet, or Hamlet. I took about 10 minutes at the beginning of the play to introduce the name signs of the major characters, but found that you couldn't always depend on every member of the deaf audience to be there on time. So This was especially a big help for deaf people who might've come in late.  And I always printed enough to give a copy of the name signs to members of the cast - they always appreciated it and said they would put it in their scrapbook. I have found - no outstanding observation here - but it is always a good idea to stay on good terms with the cast and director.  I remember one time the director of a play was introducing me to a group - he said this is George Bartley - he is greatly beloved by our cast - I thought to myself, this is the first Time I have ever been called beloved - I've been called stubborn many many times - but never beloved.

Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Creativity - Episode 430 - Yesterday and Tomorrow

I mentioned that it was necessary to have a list of name signs when signing a play by William Shakespeare in an earlier podcast episode.  And I want to say a final note about that here.  What I always did when interpreting a play at the black fires Playhouse, I printed a sheet on my computer with ready set go - I doubt that anybody remembers that - a page making program where I could have eight or 10 pictures of various cast members and the name sign that I had given to that character. Obviously there wouldn't be enough room to have name signs for all the characters, but I would definitely have name signs for say major characters like Romeo, Juliet, or Hamlet. I took about 10 minutes at the beginning of the play to introduce the name signs of the major characters, but found that you couldn't always depend on every member of the deaf audience to be there on time. So This was especially a big help for deaf people who might've come in late.  And I always printed enough to give a copy of the name signs to members of the cast - they always appreciated it and said they would put it in their scrapbook. I have found - no outstanding observation here - but it is always a good idea to stay on good terms with the cast and director.  I remember one time the director of a play was introducing me to a group - he said this is George Bartley - he is greatly beloved by our cast - I thought to myself, this is the first Time I have ever been called beloved - I've been called stubborn many many times - but never beloved.

Well, I can't believe I have used my master thesis in this podcast - and I know that I would not have done that if Gemini had not simplified the language to where it was more understandable. Still the concepts were kind of tough. Anyway, it seems only natural to talk a little bit about my interpreting experiences after I finished the paper and left the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton - a replica of Shakespeare's indoor theater - and a place where they could do original staging - much like Shakespeare’s
Original Playhouse.

Now After I finished interpreting at the blackfriar's and finished graduate school, my partner got a job in Morgantown, West Virginia. He had a job offer in Tampa Florida - which I thought would be a really fantastic place - and then a job offer in Morgantown, West Virginia. I had this preconceived notion of life in Tampa, Florida as living near a relaxing Beach, and life in West Virginia as somewhat backwards.   Boy was I wrong!  Tampa Florida had the worst traffic I've ever seen - being so near Disney World - and we almost had an automobile wreck.  West Virginia, on the other hand, with the university of West Virginia - was a college town just a few miles from beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests. So we chose Morgantown West Virginia - Home to West Virginia University. And it turned out that some of the actors from the Blackfriars Play house where I had interpreted several years ago, were rehearsing for a production of Hamlet - in fact the actor who played Hamlet had previously acted in the Blackfriars playhouse in Staunton.  West Virginia University had a department that concentrated of the needs of disabled individuals, and it was through them that I was hired to interpret for their production of Hamlet - and the best part was that I had four other people to divide the parts with.  Now let me get one thing right out of the way - one of the individuals wasn't all that bright, and refused to come to any rehearsals - his reasoning was that he didn't rehearse to interpret the classes, so he could just pretend that he knew what he was doing. I am not a person who enjoys saying you're fired - but in this case, it was obvious that it wasn't going to work out.  The other people were all excellent, and we got along very well.  I took on the role of Hamlet only - he has about half the lines in the play - and the ladies divided the other parts - so we ended up with fairly close to the same amount of lines.  And the very, very, very Best part was that the director of the play was married to one of the interpreters, and was quite dedicated to seeing that his wife and the other interpreters the interpreters were comfortable.

In a pure placed theatrical environment - with a separate interpreter for each character - we would've had the interpreters following the actors - and that was considered - but it would've been a problem - because the art department had built a seven level stage that was very dramatic - and are a lot of sword fights in hamlet - so we could've easily fallen over each other or even gotten hurt.   So instead, the director had the four interpreters sit one at each of the four corners of the stage - and when a cast member spoke, the individuals who operated the lights would shine a light on the actor who was speaking, as well as a light on the interpreter who was interpreting that actor - it took quite a few rehearsals, but was very effective.

And instead of going into the extra plot that takes place after hamlet's death, the director had the play end with Hamlet's death - and the actor who played Hamlet actually signed hamlet's last lines - in ASL, forever silence - and in English - the rest is silence.  But during the last night, the character of Hamlet did not say the rest is silence on purpose, but signed it instead - so it was kind of cool that the deaf audience was the only group of people who understood the line.   And I really enjoyed the fact after the play, the deaf audience from the West Virginia score for the deaf treated the actor who played Hamlet like a rockstar and asked for his autograph!

A few years later my husband and I moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. I found out about the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, and went to one of their plays and told them that I would really like it to interpret for them. They were very nice people, but basically had an attitude of “sure kid” - you might know a few signs but this is really hard stuff.

It happened that - completely unknown to me - some members of their staff were touring the Blackfriars Play in and Staunton where I had interpreted for several years, and I ended up interpreting the plays of the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company for the next several years.   This really meant a lot to me because the audiences were a lot larger - and it is always great to reach more people.  Each year I would interpret a play - including Coriolanus, Hamlet, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Love’s laborers lost, and my favorite - a rap version of Richard the third renamed Ricky III - where I got to kinda dance while I signed - OK I know it sounds stupid, but it worked and the deaf audience enjoyed it.

But I would be remiss if I did not write an ending to this interpreting saga - I spent years and years interpreting in medical, vocational, religious, educational, psychological, theatrical, and various other situations involving deaf people - and I certainly spent a great deal of time learning about the process and business of interpreting for the deaf to where it is consumed my life - and I don't regret it.  But our current political climate - and I don't want to get too controversial here - seems to view interpreting for the deaf as unnecessary and deaf people as a nuisance. When interpreting and communication should be viewed as a basic human right, too many politicians consider the principles DEI or diversity, equality, and integration to be a problem. 

Since the start of his current term, the current administration has taken a number of actions that have drawn both support and criticism regarding the defense of individual rights.

Actions taken by the administration include:

Civil and Human Rights: The administration has implemented policies and executive orders that have been interpreted as a rollback of civil and human rights progress. This includes actions aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government and federal contracting, as well as policies related to transgender and intersex people in athletics.

Legal System and Due Process: The administration has been criticized for actions that allegedly target lawyers and law firms who challenge the government, particularly in areas like immigration and election law. The administration has also been criticized for defying court orders and for policies that are seen as undermining the rule of law.

Immigration: The administration has pursued policies to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, leading to legal challenges. There have also been crackdowns on immigration and asylum rights.


Criminal Justice: The administration has reinstated the federal death penalty and has pursued policies that critics say will lead to mass incarceration and a rollback of recent criminal justice reforms. There have also been concerns about the politicization of the Department of Justice.

Pardons: The administration has issued pardons and commuted sentences for individuals convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021 events at the U.S. Capitol.

Regarding interpreters for the deaf, Recent actions and statements have provided a clear view of the Trump administration's stance on the role of interpreters and language access in society.

Official Language Designation: An executive order has been signed that declares English as the official language of the United States. The order and its accompanying guidance aim to reduce the provision of information and services in languages other than English. This has been framed as a way to promote unity and a shared culture, and to encourage newcomers to learn English.

Cuts to Language Services: The administration has taken steps to reduce federal spending on language access. This includes canceling contracts for translation services at agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and removing some multilingual offerings. There are concerns that this could make it harder for people with limited English proficiency to access important government services, such as those related to immigration status, benefits, and healthcare.

The White House has faced legal challenges for not providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at press briefings and other official events. Advocacy groups have filed lawsuits, arguing that the lack of ASL interpreters violates federal laws prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and denies deaf Americans meaningful access to important communications.

Concerns about Machine Translation: The administration's guidance has suggested substituting human interpreters and translators with machine translation and artificial intelligence, a move that has raised concerns about the potential for serious errors, especially in high-stakes contexts like healthcare and legal proceedings.

Impact on the Profession: The changes in federal policy are creating uncertainty for the language services industry. While the executive order does not change existing civil rights laws that require language access in many federally funded programs, it signals a shift in federal priorities that could reduce the demand for interpreters and translators in government-related work, as well as be detrimental to deaf Persons as a whole

interpreting is often considered unnecessary catering to DEI groups.

And it replied:

Deaf individuals require interpreters to ensure equal access to communication, especially in today's political climate where such support is sometimes viewed as unnecessary. A qualified interpreter acts as a bridge, converting spoken language into a visual language, like American Sign Language (ASL), and vice-versa. This isn't just about convenience; it's a fundamental necessity for full and effective participation in society. 

Bridging the Communication Gap:
Interpreters are crucial in a variety of settings, including medical appointments, legal proceedings, and educational environments. Without them, a deaf person might not understand a doctor's diagnosis, a judge's ruling, or a professor's lecture. This lack of access can lead to significant misunderstandings, misjudgments, and unequal opportunities.  The presence of an interpreter ensures that a deaf person has the same rights and access to information as their hearing peers.

Interpreting in a Political Age 
The need for interpreters is particularly significant in a political age where some may question the value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Providing interpreters is not "unnecessary catering"; it's a matter of civil rights and accessibility. Denying a deaf person an interpreter is a form of discrimination that prevents them from engaging in civic life, voting, and understanding political discourse. The ability to comprehend political debates, town hall meetings, and news broadcasts is essential for a well-informed citizenry. Interpreters make this possible for the deaf community, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. 

Pointing out the need for interpreters, especially given the current political climate, reveals the profound importance of access to communication for full societal participation and civil rights. Interpreters aren't just a convenience; they are a necessary tool for equity and inclusion, ensuring that Deaf individuals have the same opportunities as their hearing counterparts.

The Foundational Need for Communication Access 
The core reason for interpreters is bridging the communication gap between the Deaf and hearing worlds. A professional interpreter is trained to accurately convey information and nuance from spoken English to a visual language, such as American Sign Language (ASL), and vice-versa. This is essential in a wide range of critical settings:

Healthcare: In a medical appointment, an interpreter ensures a Deaf patient understands their diagnosis, treatment options, and medication instructions. Without one, a miscommunication could have severe or even life-threatening consequences.

Legal System: The right to an interpreter is a fundamental aspect of due process. In courtrooms, police interviews, and legal consultations, an interpreter guarantees that a Deaf person can understand their rights, the charges against them, and the proceedings, preventing wrongful convictions or misunderstandings of legal obligations.

Education: From elementary school to university, interpreters allow Deaf students to access the same curriculum as their peers, participate in class discussions, and achieve their educational goals. This fosters intellectual growth and prevents the isolation that can come from being unable to engage with teachers and classmates.

Navigating the Political Landscape 
In an era where some political discourse challenges the necessity of DEI initiatives, the role of interpreters becomes a focal point for the broader conversation about civil rights. When interpreting services are framed as "unnecessary catering," it fundamentally misrepresents their purpose. Providing an interpreter is not a special favor; it's a legal and ethical obligation rooted in principles of fairness and equal access.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other civil rights laws mandate that public and private entities provide effective communication for people with disabilities, including the Deaf. This legal requirement exists to prevent discrimination and ensure that Deaf citizens can participate in civic life. Without an interpreter, a Deaf person is effectively barred from:

Political Engagement: Understanding and participating in political rallies, town halls, and debates.

Voting: Reading and comprehending voting materials, and communicating with poll workers.

Access to Public Information: Following news reports, press conferences, and public announcements that are vital for an informed citizenry.

Ultimately, the provision of interpreters is a cornerstone of an inclusive society. It validates the civil rights of the Deaf community, allowing them to lead independent, informed, and integrated lives, and ensuring that their voices are not silenced.

The Vital Role of Interpreters for the Deaf 
Deaf individuals require interpreters to ensure equal access to communication, especially in today's political climate where such support is sometimes viewed as unnecessary. A qualified interpreter acts as a bridge, converting spoken language into a visual language, like American Sign Language (ASL), and vice-versa. This isn't just about convenience; it's a fundamental necessity for full and effective participation in society. 🤝

Bridging the Communication Gap 
Interpreters are crucial in a variety of settings, including theatrical and cultural events, medical appointments, legal proceedings, and educational environments Without them, a deaf person might not understand a doctor's diagnosis, a judge's ruling, or a professor's lecture. This lack of access can lead to significant misunderstandings, misjudgments, and unequal opportunities.  The presence of an interpreter ensures that a deaf person has the same rights and access to information as their hearing peers.

Interpreting in a Political Age 
The need for interpreters is particularly significant in a political age where some may question the value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Providing interpreters is not "unnecessary catering"; it's a matter of civil rights and accessibility. Denying a deaf person an interpreter is a form of discrimination that prevents them from engaging in civic life, voting, and understanding political discourse. The ability to comprehend political debates, town hall meetings, and news broadcasts is essential for a well-informed citizenry. Interpreters make this possible for the deaf community, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. 

The fact that Deaf people need interpreters, especially given the current political climate, reveals the profound importance of access to communication for full societal participation and civil rights. Interpreters aren't just a convenience; they are a necessary tool for equity and inclusion, ensuring that Deaf individuals have the same opportunities as their hearing counterparts.

The Foundational Need for Communication Access 
The core reason for interpreters is bridging the communication gap between the Deaf and hearing worlds. A professional interpreter is trained to accurately convey information and nuance from spoken English to a visual language, such as American Sign Language (ASL), and vice-versa. This is essential in a wide range of critical settings:

Healthcare: In a medical appointment, an interpreter ensures a Deaf patient understands their diagnosis, treatment options, and medication instructions. Without one, a miscommunication could have severe or even life-threatening consequences.

Legal System: The right to an interpreter is a fundamental aspect of due process. In courtrooms, police interviews, and legal consultations, an interpreter guarantees that a Deaf person can understand their rights, the charges against them, and the proceedings, preventing wrongful convictions or misunderstandings of legal obligations.

Education: From elementary school to university, interpreters allow Deaf students to access the same curriculum as their peers, participate in class discussions, and achieve their educational goals. This fosters intellectual growth and prevents the isolation that can come from being unable to engage with teachers and classmates.

Navigating the Political Landscape 
In an era where some political discourse challenges the necessity of DEI initiatives, the role of interpreters becomes a focal point for the broader conversation about civil rights. When interpreting services are framed as "unnecessary catering," it fundamentally misrepresents their purpose. Providing an interpreter is not a special favor; it's a legal and ethical obligation rooted in principles of fairness and equal access.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other civil rights laws mandate that public and private entities provide effective communication for people with disabilities, including the Deaf. This legal requirement exists to prevent discrimination and ensure that Deaf citizens can participate in civic life. Without an interpreter, a Deaf person is effectively barred from:

Ultimately, the provision of interpreters is a cornerstone of an inclusive society. It validates the civil rights of the Deaf community, allowing them to lead independent, informed, and integrated lives, and ensuring that their voices are not silenced.

Sources Include:  Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Works of Shakespeare by Isaac Asimov, American Sign Language: A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture by Charlotte Baker and Dennis Cokely, Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human by Harold Bloom, and Shakesfear and How to Cure It, an unpublished manuscript by Ralph Cohen.

Join celebrate creativity for episode 431 - for A Patient Spider and a look at Walt Whitman’s free verse.

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