Interpreters as Agents of Change: Soft Skills and Ethics

Summary:

Have you ever been in a situation as an interpreter where you wanted to speak up but you couldn’t because you didn’t know how? This workshop will analyze our understanding of ethical behavior and inclusive practices. We will discuss how interpersonal communication skills such as listening, empathy, conflict resolution, and respect for others are crucial to the foundation of effective communication and inclusion.

This can be achieved by learning more about one of the deaf perspectives on how to change one’s behavior as a part of the interpreter’s professional responsibility. Throughout this interactive workshop, participants will work together on different scenarios where deaf people are being excluded and discuss how the interpreter can respond within their boundaries. Discussion and group activities will be used to adapt and apply soft skill techniques using real-world scenarios.

0.40 CEUs Approved: RID PPO, BEI Ethics/Interpreting Language: ASL

Learning Objectives:

Participants will examine how the interpreter’s own bias impacts the interpreting work.

• Participants will identify three different interpersonal communication styles as well as which style of communication needs improvement.
• Participants will evaluate different perspectives, and navigate the complexity that comes with a variety of perspectives.
• Participants will identify the soft and hard skills that interpreters already have.
• Participants will explain how certain behaviors are forms of unethical action.