How to Communicate With a Deaf Person Through an Interpreter

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Communicating with a Deaf person through a sign language interpreter may feel awkward at first, but if you keep a few simple etiquette tools in mind, you can minimize the language barrier.

Steps

1. Don't engage directly with the interpreter. Don't think of a sign language interpreter as a third party in the conversation, but instead as a tool through which the Deaf person speaks and understands language. This one simple rule will help you to avoid most faux pas. You may be introduced to the interpreter at the beginning of the conversation, but otherwise remember that he or she is being paid to do a job, and you should speak directly with the Deaf person.
   • Don't ask the interpreter's opinion, tell the interpreter not to interpret something you've said, or look at the interpreter when you're talking.
   • Even though the Deaf person's "voice" is coming from the side, which may feel strange at first, you should keep your eyes on the Deaf person and speak and react as if he or she were speaking aloud.
2. Let the Deaf person and the interpreter position themselves as needed. Depending on where you are, there may be issues with lighting or positioning. To understand a conversation fully, the Deaf person needs to be able to see the interpreter and you clearly, and the interpreter needs to be able to see the Deaf person clearly. Normally, the interpreter will sign to your side so that both people who sign are facing one another. In a group with one or more Deaf people and one or more hearing people, this can get a little more complicated. Be flexible and offer to move, have a seat, or do whatever is best for everyone.
3. Speak and gesticulate normally. If the Deaf person reads lips, he or she will probably be looking between the interpreter's hands and face, your lips, and your gestures to get a full picture of the conversation. Continue to face the Deaf person you're speaking with and speak with a normal tone and volume. If your conversation partner is reading lips, speaking more loudly, softly, or with exaggeration will actually make you harder to understand. You shouldn't speak more "flatly" than usual, either. A good interpreter will pick up your tone, and your face will also communicate tone.
4. Be sensitive of a lag in interpreting. You should speak at a normal pace and follow the usual rules in conversation, but do allow for pauses where appropriate. Keep in mind that there will always be a slight lag between what you say and what the interpreter signs––if the Deaf person wants to interject something, but you keep going, there will either be a lot of interrupting in the conversation or a one-sided discussion. You also may need to make allowances for an interpreter, for example if the interpreter is not a licensed interpreter but instead a friend, family member, or someone else who signs but doesn't normally interpret.
   • Even licensed interpreters vary in skill level and familiarity with a particular Deaf person.
   • It's possible that if the interpreter and the Deaf person are from different regions, they may naturally sign differently, which makes for slower or more confusing interpretation. In fact, there are even Deaf interpreters who interpret into more natural ASL (or another sign language) from the hearing interpreter's version.
   • If there seems to be a long lag at the end of a sentence, or the interpreter is signing slowly or pausing a lot, or you notice confusion overall, slow down a little and pause more.

Tips

• Remember not to turn your head away so that your lips aren't visible. Even with an interpreter, it's rude to look away when talking to a Deaf person. It's also polite to let the person you're speaking with know if you notice something, like someone coming over to the group from behind them, your phone ringing, etc.
• Don't be afraid to ask politely whether someone needs accommodations. Though you should behave as you normally would in conversation, it's fine to simply ask if there's anything you could do to make conversation easier. If not, you'll likely just get a "no, thank you" and can continue on with the conversation.

Warnings

• Don't ask someone to interpret if that's not why they're present. A Deaf person can certainly ask someone nearby to interpret if they're having difficulties, but often a so-so or even advanced signer's interpretation isn't as good as reading lips/body language. It's the Deaf person's choice to decide how to communicate, and you should respect any choices they make.
• Don't expect an interpreter to work without pay. While you shouldn't ask someone who isn't an interpreter to interpret for you, you also shouldn't ask an interpreter to work if they're not being paid and aren't offering. Interpreters often get roped into interpreting in social situations, but remember that interpreting is a paying job. Just as you wouldn't ask a professional for free medical or legal help, don't ask for free interpretation. If an interpreter does help out without being asked, be sure to show your gratitude!
• Interpreters only know certain signed and spoken languages. If you're at an international event, for example, and you want to introduce yourself to a Deaf person with an interpreter, you may find that you and the interpreter don't share a common language. Though there are sometimes interpretation situations with multiple interpreters, this isn't often the case. If you find yourself in this situation, you can always laugh it off, smile, shake the person's hand, and give them your business card.

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