Trudy Suggs: Deaf Disempowerment and Today's Interpreter

[@macgyv13]

Perhaps you can now understand the Deaf community's frustration with many sites online not having any captioning for their news, vlogs, interviews, etc. I'm glad to see that you are asking for captions - could you do that for all VOICE only videos as well? The Deaf community would thank you a million times for that.

[@babysigningmomma]

I wish this was captioned or voiced so that a Deaf perspective could be shared with a non ASL proficient hearing world! It's important for thus message to come from the best source!!

[@irish44able]

This gave me an opportunity to reflect on hearing privilege...something all interpreters (including myself) should consider more often,..It is a critical part of being an ally on the side of the solution, rather than being an opportunist or, even worse, a facilitator of audism on the side of the problem. Maybe most importantly we need to remember that the community who shared ASL with us and who has welcomed us into their community did so because they trusted that we would do right by them...

[@scootermom05]

Great information and hard truth for sure. Makes me think of couples as well, when the wife is upset and the husband says to the other person "it's okay", it discredits the wife's complaint. Also, in the book "That's Not What I Meant", speaking as women we use softer language, while men can be more blunt. It's such a hearing thing too. I have also noticed that many times the medical field puts interpreters into a category of "family" and not professionals (does SHE have this....?, instead of "Do YOU have this?). We, as interpreters, need to step-up and be the professional and not fall into our own fear of conflicts when situations go wrong and people are upset.

[@AlNoll]

This morning I watched this video again (after seeing someone mentioning it on Facebook). I must have watched it for the third time already. It is a good "refresher" video for all deaf and interpreters, and of course attending Trudy's workshop in person offers more education benefits. Still, this 24.5-minute presentation video is well summarized and articulated.

[@ASLAndrea]

This is a great video full of important information. I have watched it several times, and each time I learn more! As an interpreter I strive to incorporate those concepts into all my interactions with the Deaf community. Thank you Trudy for your honesty!

[@daviddileo1517]

I believe that the first word that she spells is "transparency", and the first part of the sentence is "In the spirit of transparency...". I can absolutely relate to how you feel, though, about not always understanding someone. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[@art435]

My Deaf Language Coach had me interpret this (and transcribe) - I really enjoyed the assignment. And I am looking forward to our discussion when we meet on Saturday. I asked her for a challenge this week, but your use of language is awesome.

[@andreadaerice]

This is such a good video! I used it to help train other interpreters and I review it myself to remember the importance of respecting the client's autonomy and agency at all times.

[@JasonKirin]

I work for a company in Pittsburgh called Sign Language Interpreting Professionals (SLIP) and have recently been asked to lead a study group for up and coming terps to pass the written exam. I've sent this video out to them as one of the more important things they need to understand prior to getting in the field. Thank you!

[@stopthegop4894]

Trudy love your style and your informative workshops!!! Could you possibly include a transcript for newbies who NEED to know this??

[@melp3784]

To my friends and interpreters, Trugg's presentation is a must see! I recognized her because of her article about Saturn back in 1997/1998 and then I met her in 2000. At that time I met her, I felt like I've talked with an A-rated celebrity!

[@margaretadamski1876]

Yes I remember Saturn Ads.Deaf people were not happy with the ASL person were in Saturn commercial ads. They were unhappy with wrong sign for Saturn. Vague. Also it was happened in SilentNews,too Unfornteatly for me I have a Saturn stationwagon 17 yr old. Saturn Company are now out of business.

[@ASLsoFine]

I have 1000 people I want to see this video. Most of them don't know enough ASL to understand this without captioning, so please consider it. Agree 100% and I am glad for your perspective on language as an economic tool.

[@sc24evr]

I have never seen faster fingerspelling in my life

[@chrisgruber5130]

Wow, everything you said makes sense and true in many ways that I've gone through. Enjoyed watching your excellent presentation and me being deaf, smiles...

[@rpnzl2step1]

Another thought provoking piece by Trudy... Next stop, TED Talks!

[@Studeshaker]

I can't believe no one at Street Leverage has voiced or captioned this video...its speaks to what is presented in this video about disempowering the Deaf.

[@hhandsch]

This is an AWESOME presentation!!! I love Trudy and she is an AMAZING person!!

[@johnhancock8463]

Thank you

[@ridor9th]

Trudy is awesome, no question about it.

[@SamS-mj8gu]

Great talk Trudy! I remember going to one of your interpreter workshops in Olathe Kansas maybe 3 years after you gave this talk nearly 10 years ago at KSD. I know I’m 10 years late for the party but I just wanted to say thank you. You taught us some cool signs I still use and some really great lessons to help us understand the mind of the Deaf. Sadly, after 8 years of interpreting, I’m actively seeking to leave the profession. Just like you said at the beginning of your talk, we all have our truths and we should respect each other’s truths. Fair enough. I heard your truth, and respect it. Now it’s my turn. First about the situation surrounding your son breaking his leg. I’m sorry to hear that, and it’s no fun for a parent to have to deal with the stress of getting proper care for their kid. But why take your frustrations out on the receptionist? Was it because you were waiting? Wasn’t everyone else waiting too? Nobody comes to the hospital to hang out, everybody there needs to see the doctor. If he came to the hospital in an ambulance, he would have been put directly into the emergency room. You waited a week to come to the hospital… was an hour wait too long? Or did you feel some sort of privilege and feel you had the right to jump in front of everyone else waiting in front of you? Seems like it’s less about Deaf disempowerment and more about having a lack of patience. Or was it the fact that she wasn’t looking at you? You can’t assume that everyone knows how to deal with the Deaf, and their interpreters. Come on, you of all people should NEVER assume that. I’ve been in the profession long enough to know that you have to educate hearing people constantly. I find it inconceivable that you put in a complaint against the receptionist who is dealing with a waiting room presumably full of stressed and sick people waiting for a doctor, phone calls coming in, entering data, plus the personal problems they may be dealing with at home she’s trying not to think about. This situation is less about Deaf disempowerment. It seems like you lack patience and human kindness. I agree with your comments about the interpreter who criticized your signing and when you sign fast and over her head she voices gibberish. That was horribly unprofessional. Some interpreters are unqualified, burned out, etc. Not sure what the certification process was back then, but it seems she wouldn’t have passed it and would have been let go and hopefully replaced with someone with more skill. Although I have a few questions (I realize the video is 10 years old, and I’m 95% sure this will not be posted and 100% sure this won’t get a response, so I’ll leave the questions here rhetorically), how did your relationship with the interpreter get to the point she would criticize you at all? Is she plainly a bully, or is there more to the story? In your communication among the Deaf directly, have you ever code switched? Meaning, suppose you speak to someone who has less of an intimate understanding of the intricacies of your way of communicating, do you change and sign with fewer local signs or use a bit more descriptive classifiers etc? Trick question, of course you do, we all do. So why didn’t you code switch for the interpreter? You already know her receptive skills were not great, could you have changed up how you communicate to make sure she accurately gets your message across to the class? After all you did raise your hand to participate… right? Also please be careful how you explain yourself. How you treated that interpreter could be very discouraging to prospective interpreters. Many interpreters would be petrified to work with you because you seem to be very demanding and you are unwilling to meet halfway. We willingly came into your world to try to help. The pay is terrible, with the years I put into interpreting, I could make 3x as a nurse working significantly fewer hours. Why can’t we be good to each other and try to make each other’s lives easier? Seems like the responsibility is solely on the interpreter and if something fails, the blame is solely on the interpreter. The relationship between an interpreter and the Deaf person is not a team or a partnership, it’s a slave/master relationship. No that’s wrong, it’s a tool/user relationship. Literally. Last week we were doing testing at the public school I work in, on the document that specifies testing requirement for the Deaf student I work with, I was listed under “Accomodations”. That’s the same category a wheelchair would be listed under-“Accomodations”. I’m speaking for the interpreters out there who actually care about what they do for the Deaf community, we came here into this community because of respect, care, desire to help, love. I have never seen a Deaf person tell someone hearing who works with them they really appreciate them and they help they offer. This is just my experience, but not one Deaf person has told me thank you in all of my years of service.. that’s just so strange to me. I’m leaving the profession because I’m starting to realize I’ve been suffering a sort of Stockholm syndrome. I’ve written too much and it’s not going to be posted so whatever. If a tree falls in the forest but no one is there to hear it fall, does it make a sound?

[@violetdoyle4958]

That was so great! Thank you for posting this. :)

[@KungFuMonkeyy]

Informative. I appreciate this.

[@spiderman13ful]

Both my hands are up and shaking for Trudy.

[@SignedSongsASL]

There is a full transcript at street leverage's website :)

[@DEAFCOUNSELING]

As always, thank you for sharing this excellent video!

[@CaveCreekRider]

I agree - I would love to see this captioned. I can understand a lot of it, but I can also tell that I'm missing important subtleties.

[@Studeshaker]

The interpreters are scared to make a mistake and have it published forever...if I put this up...it would be voiced/or captioned (because I understood, every thing she said, I would love to voice for her)...this is such a hot topic!

[@4tubegal]

Agreed with babysigningmomma - use captioned!

[@illeenmoore2939]

Fantastic presentation and it is useful and educational one. . I have forwarded your presentation video to Bloomsbury University's interpreting program for students who want to be interpreters. Some of my VR clients have some similar experiences with newbie interpreters for their job interviews or their job trainings that really make my blood boil. Thank you for this!

[@IIoveasl10]

I tend to agree with you....but we know ASL, and Trudy is a great signer!

[@2agregory]

To Trudy Suggs, God gave in me his powerful authority in me work so hard with God's government not expect those are an either, when I work in the military two years. My Dad taught me very strict control in me he is the military person I raise up.

[@modiulelawson9790]

I wish you had cc for Auslan users and other Deaf in the world not using ASL.

[@MeMyselfandCarolyn]

Agreed! I'm hearing and I'm pretty decent at ASL but definitely not fluent yet, and while what I can pick up here is really interesting and relevant, I definitely can't catch all of it :/

[@AliveSpirits]

YES, TRUE because I am deaf GURU, too :-)

[@katherinegrice4415]

There are people that would love to experience this, but can't. Why? No CC.

[@streetleverage]

Hi Katherine - you can find an English version here: streetleverage.com/live_presentations/deaf-disempowerment-and-todays-interpreter/.

[@2agregory]

To Trudy Suggs, My experience worker and Labor, I work with the Government in two years in the nation center the army in the two years. I got an attack inside my heart and stress, that is reason why waste my time. My doctor can't believe, that I still alive, the reason why Jesus Christ our Lord rise me from death. I am a real good deaf man.

[@signer16]

Street Leverage has what is essentially a transcript of her article on the street leverage website. I tried to post the link to the website but youtube won't allow me to do so...The website is street leverage dot com. I agree that captioning and voicing are needed, but this at least gives you access to what she said.

[@2agregory]

I am not kind of the deaf disempowerment. My kind of the listen in God's words taught me work to do of the jobs in the bible said so inside my heart went into my mind remember into God's Laws. I recently explain to you the same questions in the comments. Thank you !

[@DeafJana64]

For clarification, does this video have voice over where I share my hearing friends? And the video is very good, clear, with ppt. I appreciate the editing part on this video. Thank you. and finally, Trudy is right and raised many good points.

[@jericamullins901]

No, I am hearing and there is no audio. I wish there were captions though! (But there aren't captions either.)

[@DavidMcbrady]

Could someone in the deaf community please educate me about this.. please... Not trying to be a smart butt...just really want to know the answer. Here is my question: what is the translator mouthing and also what is up with the very animated facial expressions as the interpreter uses their hands to sign what the speaker is saying for the deaf community to understand?? I watch the interpreter and listen to what the speaker is saying on stage and the interpreter s mouth, and facial expressions don't match or they seem inappropriate to what the speaker is actually saying or talking about. Please help me understand. Please educate me. Thank you!

[@Studeshaker]

Street Leverage is supposedly run by interpreters...yet they have not voiced this article...duh!

[@celestegarvey-petsch8303]

Good presentation. I am looking for the captions.Is the video not captioned or is it my computer?

[@kim-annlyons6107]

i wish this had captions, i am not asl user, i am from australia. i am only able to understand very little, its still interesting, but im missing too much x ka

[@michaelaberry1276]

I'm from Britain so don't know asl either, missed a trick by not captioning.

[@dc1975dc]

I expected to be pissed off by this video. I wasn't. I think there is a natural human thing that happens that is important. When I think about interpreters, I think of interpreters who are like me, not interpreters who aren't skilled or culturally aware. I think that it is possible to forget that all Deaf people are not like Trudy. I walk a fine line waiting for Deaf folks to self-advocate. Sometimes that doesn't happen. What do I do then? That is a hard thing for interpreters.

[@YarbroK]

I might be a little late for the party but may I ask who passed away? Was it Alfred G?

[@Tucklicious]

where is the transcript

[@2agregory]

God said those dose not matter talk about the English and the A.S.L. and he know use the sign lauguage more than all of us. God is very brillirant more than all of us of the English and the A.S.L. for an once. God know that Hearing and deaf peoples make a mistake and wrong languaged an everdays.

[@2agregory]

I kind of the disagreement with the DISEMPOWERMENT thank you !

[@mmlejano]

Unbelievable!!! ENUF is ENUF

[@sweetrice80]

Alfred, First of all God is not an product of evidence but a product of Faith. I really think your understanding of Trudy Suggs message is a product of your understanding of God; which is missed. She is not blaming anyone but providing merely examples of how deaf people can lose their "voice" or their voice gets lost in the translation. BTW, to call someone a Satan because you disagree with their message, is the EXACT opposite of God's message. Just Sayin!

[@2agregory]

Part two I am very strong disagreement your questions about the deaf disempowerment ? God gave to deaf peoples his powerful help them about the jobs those can do it. How tell me that I worked in the nation center of the army in the two years ? Do you think that I am a stupid talk about job ? I am not weak of the powerful must followship God's ways his powerful in me lifetime. God gave me rest time because I worked so hard of the heavy of the ground roads.

[@2agregory]

To David Rice, No, this is not true your questions. God is the product of the evidence what we are work to do. God know that is not disempowerful. God gave all of us his powerful work to do righteous equipment tell all of us. David you dose not know what God spoke with me alone not expect you.

[@2agregory]

To all of you that God said his gave all of us his powerful righteous work to do for hearing and deaf peoples, and hearing and deaf peoples dose not matter work to do those jobs. God said do righteous work to do to be the justification together, that bible said so God's words. Jesus Christ our Lord require you to be the interpreter for all of us. God said that is not worth of the economic important do understood use the sign languaged and country of the languaged.

[@matseattle]

IronTeeth27, He just passed away two days ago.. No one want to read your comment!

[@anthonyanaya]

Makes me feel like an awesome interpreter when I can't even understand the first sentence of her speech. haha

[@sweetrice80]

Could you point to me one scientific evidence that God exist? I mean 100% certain that he exist. I bet you couldn't God exist on the essence of Faith. Whether or not you have that faith to believe there is a God or not, is up to you. But thats the point of God, not to be proven but to be believed. Anyhow, I am done discussing this with you. Give God a shout out from me. Thanks!

[@2agregory]

Trudy look at Ironteeth27 sit all the time his job school all the time. You look at Ridor9th sit all time and ate food too much, that is not good for himself. I worked so hard at home back yards once a while depend my felts, so I rest time gave me break. Do you know that I have been problems my shoulder and legs many years. I got big surgery lot of it. Ridor9th and Ironteeth27 did not know what I am done at worked.

[@2agregory]

Trudy Suggs do I am the deaf Disempowerment today ? What did Ironteeth27 get stories about deaf community of the deaf disempowerment your pardon me ? Number two what did ridor9th get stories come from ? My evidence by God called me and readed from Ironteeth27 and Ridor9th against our deaf peoples names. How do you felt that ways. I disagreement with Ridor9th and Ironteeth27 period at all.

[@margaretadamski1876]

I had enough with Ironteeth27 bullyed.

[@2agregory]

To ridor9th, The same to you too! I remember your words your kind of the blame those are those's names on vlogs. Terrible meant tremble your languaged. Your have two face and different statement to all of us on your vlogs. The bible said you must a blameless all of us period.

[@ravenxfiles]

Wtf? It got off the subject on God's words, Alfred G.( do not judge anyone unless you have prefect life as God-) huh? *SMH* This talked about fucking disempowering of deaf clients from trep....I had been there...

[@2agregory]

To Ironteeth, I absolutely not understand what your talk about myself kind of the innocent persons. This is not my problems it is your problems your fight with another persons in the MSD walk, because your are a gossip everyone. Jesus Christ our Lord told you do not a gossip and talent everybody on your vlogs, that are why !

[@2agregory]

To Ironteeth27, No, I don't believe your questions, because you are a blame those are on your vlogs this is real tremble. You did the judge to deaf people in MSD walk on your vlog, you really nothing know what those are. Those are very innocent that Jesus Christ our Lord know what those are watch the above. You should a respect in God and Jesus Christ is first period. God is called me about you on youtube really tremble an insult those are.

[@hr.c.1267]

toll

[@2agregory]

To Ironteeth27, God ask you the question did you a blame to deaf people kind of the crime. God ask you the qeustion how do you know, and there are no proof your questions deaf crime. I disagreement with your questions a blame those are. Just you ! Your are not christian and your are not God to them and me too an either. Your have two face and two different statement to all of us. I remember your words of the vlogs.

[@2agregory]

To ridor9th, God knowledge what you are done wrong to do against those are names tremble on your vlogs bad for your lifetime the history. Your are not neat talk around everyone. God want see you apologize to them first do not say bad names over them period. God said to you can't get me hell out of your face.

[@2agregory]

Repeat explain right spell of the love i type fast last min, sick of the evil mess me up spelled. Jesus Christ ask you the question do you love your son ? Jesus Christ our Lord said you must take care your son lifetime. Jesus Christ our Lord said your baby not fault, just you.!

[@2agregory]

To Trudy Suggs, Wait a min, Did God tell you the question about Deaf Disempowerment ? I suspect of your questions. That is not you POV one of you person. Jesus Christ know you was a lying of the questions. Do I believe in your the questions no way! Jesus Chrst ask you take care of your baby first very important than those are and your job. God would not help you for as sure. Jesus Christ ask you the question do you live your son ? Think about yourself not those are. You between with God alone !

[@2agregory]

God would not involve with your questions, your misunderstand lifetime dose not make a sense your questons common tell all of us. God take care of me a lifetime not expect you and those are. That meant God and i between always. God know that I went to the church not expect the pastor or editor doctrine and you too! God know what I am done lifetime. God would not enjoy your gang member dull thing so do your attitude tremble. You can't judge in me only God is the judge in me alone period at all.

[@ridor9th]

What? Am I talking to you? No. Get the hell out of my face. R-