I Love VRS Interpreters

After my latest experience with the water softener guy (see previous post), Steve and I discussed the idea of using a MVP VRS interpreter in almost any situation where the hearing person has access to a telephone. It seems like a winning solution for everyone. The deaf husband who prefers to sign can sign, the hearing person who prefers to talk can talk, the VRS interpreter who is qualified and getting paid a well-deserved salary gets to do his/her job, and the worn out wife gets to be a wife.

Sunday, Jan 5 – We are invited to visit my sister who also has her daughter, son-in-law, and four grandkids visiting her. Since I am familiar with how these visits turn out, I tell Steve I will go only if I can pretend I am deaf also (because I don’t want to have to interpret). He suggests he bring along his webcam and laptop that has VideoSign installed on it. We can put our theory to the test on my sister. Who better to experiment with than family?

It takes Steve about an hour to get the laptop connected to the internet because of technical difficulties. In the meantime he and my nephew, Clay, communicate by writing. Many hearing people do not want to take the time to write, but Clay says writing is faster than getting the computer set up. I sit back and enjoy playing with my grandniece baby.

Steve finally gets connected and soon he is signing to a VRS interpreter. The interpreter calls my sister’s phone number, the phone rings and Clay answers. Everyone watches while Steve signs to his laptop and Clay talks to Steve as if he on the phone. It’s kind of funny when you are watching it, but as my sister said, “It’s amazing!” I watch the VRS interpreter for a while and wonder how he is able to listen to Clay, watch Steve, sign what Clay is saying, and say what Steve is signing, all at the same time! This is what is amazing to me.

It seemed to work quite well during our family visit and Steve said he had a good time. If this works with my family, it can work for almost any hearing person who has access to a phone and wi-fi. It may have been a little awkward to talk on the phone to someone who is in the same room. I suggest using a phone with speaker. If other people are in the room, they can listen to the conversation. If the deaf person likes to talk, he can speak and the interpreter would hear his voice. It would be the same as voice carry-over. This solution may not work for everyone but it has definite possibilities for us.

What I Hate About “Interpreting”

I put interpreting into quotes because I am using that term very loosely in this story. Put yourself in my shoes.

A service man comes to the house two hours earlier than scheduled to fix the water softener. You are trying to prepare lunch. You feel confident that your husband is capable of learning what is wrong with it, so you continue about your business in the kitchen. You can hear the two men as they mull over the softener. Your husband informs the man that he is deaf. The man starts explaining things to your husband as if he can hear. Since you have nine years experience, you know the man is not talking so that your husband is able to read his lips. Again you think, “Another hearing idiot.”

Your husband is intelligent enough about water softeners and plumbing to guess at most of what the man is saying, but he is talking too fast and probably has his head turned so your husband cannot see his face. You hear your husband say, “Let’s go talk to my wife.” Ugh! Now you think, “I should have left the house when I had a chance.”

They come into the kitchen, and your husband sits on the stool, staring at you while he waits for your interpretations. The service man says he needs your water so he can test it. (You are still trying to make a meal.) As he is digging out his testing supplies, he rattles on (to you, not to your husband) about what he is doing and explains it in detail. You think, “I don’t understand what you are talking about and I couldn’t care less.”

Your husband wants to know what the man is saying, so you try to sign it. Most of the words are technical so you have to fingerspell nearly everything. You tell the man, “It is very hard for me to interpret what you are saying.” So he kindly slows down …. a little bit. As he talks you say the words as you fingerspell them so he can know how slow you are at fingerspelling and interpreting. Does this get him to slow down? Of course not.

In the meantime, your meal is still cooking. The service man backs into the stove, turning the burner dial on full blast. Your meal is boiling over. He is so engrossed in letting you know how intelligent he is that he doesn’t notice until you push him away from the stove. He says, “Oh! I was wondering why my butt was getting hot.”

He continues rattling on about the hardness of your water and you continue to interpret to your husband to the best of your “ability” (again using that word very loosely). You feel your insides churning with frustration. You again tell the service man and your husband that you are not able to interpret what this man is saying. Does anyone care? Maybe you are not firm enough. Maybe you have to leave the room and have people think you are being rude. You choose to stay and allow them to feel comfortable while you are ready to push both of them out the door.

You are so frustrated by this time, you cannot think at all. You are now a robot or a transmission line, listening to the service man and signing the words to your husband. The salesman gives you final instructions on how to regenerate the softener. These instructions are to be transmitted to your husband. He is ready to leave, but your husband asks the man to show him how to regenerate the softener. The salesman says, “He wants me to show him how to regen the softener, so I will do that before I leave.” as if he is doing some charitable deed.

After he leaves, you sign to your husband, “I hate interpreting.”

In the end you feel you have to write a blog post about your experience so you don’t explode, and to make people aware (anyone interested enough to read your post that is) that knowing a few signs does NOT make a person an interpreter. That’s why we have laws. Certainly a qualified interpreter cannot be around 24/7, but it is especially important to not push a deaf/hearing marriage (or any family member) relationship into a interpreter/client relationship.

So You Think You Can Sign

Like many people, I am starting to learn the art of trading stocks. One of my favorite columnists that I read on cnbc.com is Janice Dorn. Her latest column titled “So You Think You Can Trade” is suited to learning any new skill, including signing. Substitute the word “trade” with the word “sign” and there you have it.

Savior of the World for the Deaf and Blind

“The musical production Savior of the World, based on scriptural accounts of the birth and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, … features a cast of talented actors, singers, and musicians sharing testimony through drama and song of the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

“There is a special performance for those who are deaf and blind (and their families and friends) on December 17, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., with theatrical translation (ASL), closed captions, ADA assistive listening, and descriptive narration provided. Translation is available for those who are both deaf and blind.” http://www.lds.org/events/info/0,8197,726-1-672,00.html

As Steve and I wait in line for the theater doors to open, we greet and sign with several friends from the Deaf ward. There is a large chart displayed showing the seating arrangements that will best accommodate the people. The ASL section is in the middle and on either side are closed captioned monitors. Space is reserved for those in wheel chairs.

The performance is scheduled to begin at 7:30 and we are scheduled to enter the theater at 6:30. At around 7:00 p.m., the doors open and the people find their way into the theater. There is no reserved seating, so everyone scrambles to get the best seats. As is the custom when the Deaf Community gathers together, many energetic people communicate with each other across the room in signs and happy faces. I wish I signed well enough to communicate that way. This open and friendly way of communicating is one of the things I love most about Deaf Culture.

Steve and I find seats in front of a closed caption monitor where we can see everything. In front of the stage is a platform for the ASL interpreters. They are dressed in black clothing. As the spotlight shines on them, you have a clear view of their hands and faces.

It takes time to get everyone seated and comfortable. At about 8:00 p.m. the lights dim and the performance begins. Years ago, I would have been focused on the beautiful music and the spoken dialogue. Tonight my eyes are focused on the beautiful ASL interpreters. I am especially touched by one woman who signs the music with expression and emotion.

I notice in a corner almost directly in front of Steve and I, a man who is deaf and blind. He has three interpreters who switch about every ten minutes. They communicate by fingerspelling into his hands and guiding his hands on their faces. I do not want to stare, but I cannot help but notice with wonderment and awe at this scene before me. It’s not just the thought that I would never be able to have this skill that intrigues me. It’s the way he and his interpreters appear to be so in tune with each other and with the Spirit. His countenance shines as he is clearly understanding and enjoying the performance. I imagine angels surrounding them.

There is a ten minute “stand up” intermission where Steve gets a chance to tease our friends (“Where is the popcorn?”). One of the ASL interpreters is talking to his friend and overhear him say that they have a special surprise at the end of the performance. I think I know what it is, but he does not say.

The second half of the performance is where the actor who plays the Savior comes out onto the stage. I get teary eyed. Just before the last song is sung, all of the actors come out onto the stage. I am sure this is the surprise about to begin. They all sing and sign the hymn “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth.” They end the performance by singing and signing the words, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come”. All of their hands are reaching up in a prayerful gesture. I lose it and the tears flow freely. I am certain the theater is filled with angels.

As we drive home, Steve says, “This was a great night. We should do this every Christmas.” I agree.

Sign or Speak?

Sunday, Sept. 7 – Steve and I are asked to deliver messages for Sacrament Meeting in the Deaf Ward. Whether or not this is going to happen, I am not sure yet.

Did I forget to mention in this blog that we are now officially members of the Salt Lake Deaf 1st Ward? Even though we have to drive 30 miles to get there (a distance that is unusual in an area where church is only a few blocks away for most people), it is so worth the extra time and gas in my opinion.

For those who read this blog and may not be familiar with how LDS church services are conducted, I will briefly explain. You can always find more information at lds.org. We do not have paid ministers who give sermons every Sunday. The messages (generally known in the Church as “talks” but I can hardly label a signed message as a “talk”) are given by various members of the ward (congregation). There is no hierarchy of who is most important or privileged to give a message. People are chosen by the Bishopric through inspiration of the Spirit.

We are asked to do this on Sept. 28 and that the topics would be provided. I make a plea that I need my topic ASAP because I need as much time as possible to prepare. My first thought is that I want to sign it so I need time to practice. I am given the topic of “Agency“.

Wednesday, Sept. 10 – I am having a hard time deciding if should sign or speak when I deliver my message to the people in the Deaf ward, so I seek the advice of my former ASL instructor at the Salt Lake Community College, who also happens to be a member of the Salt Lake Deaf 2′nd Ward. I ask him in sign, “You think people in ward prefer watch interpreter sign fast and good, or watch me sign slow maybe wrong.” (I must interject here that the Deaf have an amazing capability to understand lousy signers as well as good signers.)

As any good teacher would do, he does not tell me what to do. He asks me what I want to do. “Want sign.” He suggests that I pray about it. He also tells me that the people in the ward would not be critical if I spoke. Is this his subtle way of telling me I better speak? He also suggests that the people would not be critical if I signed and I might get a few hugs if I did.

I really want to sign, so I spend the next few days thinking about my topic and writing exactly how I would sign it. The message is suppose to be about 12 minutes. I practice and adjust my signs according to the time limit. I take into account several seconds of nervous energy here and there, moments of memory loss, and allow time for unrehearsed sharing of my testimony at the end. I feel satisfied that I am prepared.

Sunday, Sept. 14 – As Steve and I sit in the chapel and wait for Sacrament Meeting to begin, the 1st Counselor of the Bishopric comes over to ask if we can give our messages on Oct. 12. He forgot that Sept. 28 is Fast and Testimony Meeting because of General Conference on Oct. 05. (Fast and Testimony Meeting is usually the first Sunday each month.) This postponement is fine with Steve since he hasn’t begun to think about his message. He tells the counselor that I am prepared so I can give my message, but he is going on vacation for who knows how long. Steve is not familiar with how things work in the Church. The counselor is too smart to let him get away with that, and I am more than willing to postpone it until he feels ready.

Sunday, Sept. 21 – The postponement of my message has given me time to ponder further on how I should deliver it. Is the postponement a coincidence or is the Spirit telling me I am not as prepared as I thought. Questions come into my mind. “What is the most important thing when giving a message in Sacrament Meeting? Is the content more important than how it is delivered? Is the delivery more important than the content? Are they equally important?” If I were still in the hearing ward, I would not have this dilemma. But I am now amongst a group of people who I believe are deeply appreciative of anyone who makes an effort to communicate in their language.

After mulling it over in my mind, I believe it is most important that the majority of people receiving the message will feel the Spirit, and will understand what I am talking about. So with this in mind, I rewrite my message knowing that I will speak and allow the Spirit to work through the interpreter. The people know I am trying to learn their language. I can still sign my testimony.

Oct. 4 & 5 (General Conference) – I listen to many words of counsel, hope, and encouragement during these troubled times. My little problems are miniscule in the grand scheme of things. The Spirit is telling me to relax.

Sign or speak – I still have at least a week to change my mind again.

Game Night at the Deaf Center

Our latest assignment for my ASL class is to attend “Game Night” at the Deaf Center, and then write a paper about our experiences. Here is mine.

At 5:30 p.m., I arrive at the Deaf Center to find a small group of people in the Lounge who are playing a card game. Since there is no room for me at the table, they decide to split up. I brought along a game called “ASLingo” that I found on the internet. I have never played it but it looks fun. After some deliberation, we choose to play that game. It starts out fine, but then we get words like “scrimmage”. No one knows how to sign it. I get the word “can” and the card shows using the A handshape. Our leader is confused because he uses the S handshape. There are more words we get confused about. I sign “dumb game”. We later select a card game that proves to be more fun.

More people arrive and proceed to play games. Nearly all of them are students. I believe the only deaf person is the coordinator for “Game Night”. But that does not matter since there is a no voicing allowed policy. We are all Deaf for the night, at least as far as communicating with each other. Unfortunately a group of people in the corner are very noisy. Julie, who is sitting next to me, signs, “me wish deaf now.” I am getting attached to these people who struggle with signing and who express feelings same as mine. Her comment seems to be a common reaction when a hearing person becomes aware of her noisy surroundings, and hearing is no longer important because she can communicate well without talking.

Our group finishes the card game and moves over to the ping-pong table where we are introduced to a dice game. I am pretty sure the leader tells us the name of the game, but I miss it. I am happy to be able to understand most of what he is signing. It’s a simple game that starts with 8 or 9 people shaking dice and ends up with a winner. After a half hour of playing this game, Julie and I are against each other. I am almost the winner, but alas, my opponent beats me. She asks what she gets for winning the game. I almost give her a hug for winning my heart.

It is now 8:00 and time to go home. I enjoyed interacting with people who signed and did not talk, but I am too old for games like this. I am worn out.

Learning ASL Through the Book of Mormon

It was one year ago when I decided to follow in the footsteps of our sweet return missionary interpreter, Rachel, who told me that the prophet promised that if we read the entire Book of Mormon in another language, we would have that language mastered. (See last paragraph of Awareness is Bliss.) Well, I have finally finished 1st Nephi in ASL. I knew this was going to take time.

When I started this task, my receptive skills were pretty bad. It’s one thing to be able to sign a few words and another thing to be able to understand when someone else signs. Fingerspelling is especially difficult for me to read.

When Rachel told me how she learned ASL by reading and watching the Book of Mormon, I asked her, “Doesn’t a person have to have some knowledge of a language before she can do this?” Rachel shrugged her shoulders and said, “Not really.” So I thought, ‘Ok, why not? I’ll give it a shot.’ What’s the worst that could happen? I wouldn’t understand anything in ASL and I would end up reading the Book of Mormon again.

August 2007: I start watching 1st Nephi 1:1. I can immediately see that ASL is not signed English. The first two words are written, “I, Nephi”. In ASL, she signs,” NEPHI ME”. She not only fingerspells his name first, she does it so smoothly and elegantly, it’s as if “Nephi” is a sign rather than a fingerspelled name. I am intrigued and practice it over and over so that I can do it precisely as she does it. [Several months later I come across this DVD.] When she signs ME, her face lets you know that she is telling the story as if she were Nephi.

I continue to watch but right away I am lost. “…having been born of goodly parents,” it reads, but what is she signing? I figure out how to watch the video in slow motion using Windows Media Player. I watch carefully and am able to pick out the first five signs that correspond to that phrase. I dig out the LDS Dictionary of Sign Language Terms and figure out the next two signs. This is work. I am going to have to write this down. So I write:

NEPHI ME MYSELF FINISH BORN THEM PARENTS RIGHTEOUS EXHALTATION

I feel that this is right and I am excited! ASL is wonderful. Nephi’s parents were not just goodly; they were righteous and exalted. I continue to watch, rewind, watch, pause, rewind, watch…and research the signs using the LDS ASL Dictionary, aslpro.com, and dictionary.com. (I haven’t used a dictionary this much in years!)

After what seems like three or four hours I figure out most of the first verse. I still do not understand a couple of signs and request the help of Rachel.

A week later: It only took me a week, but I finally am able to understand the first verse of the Book of Mormon in ASL.

NEPHI ME MYSELF FINISH BORN THEM PARENTS RIGHTEOUS EXHALTATION
THAT REASON MY FATHER HE KNOW THINGS ALL THINGS FINISH TEACH ME
AND TOTAL MY LIFE FINISH SEE THINGS PROBLEMS MANY
NOT-MATTER LORD HE FINISH SINCE MY LIFE WOW SUPPORT
POINT MYSELF FINISH MUCH KNOW THINGS ABOUT GOD HIS GOOD ALL LOVE
INCLUDE AND HIS HONESTY NOT-YET INFORM KNOW THINGS
THAT REASON EVENTS MY LIFE THAT I PROCEED HISTORY WRITE

You can see that ASL is not English grammar and probably does not make much sense, but watch it by someone who knows what she is doing:

 

The next 11 months: As time permits, I continue to read, watch, and write the Book of Mormon in ASL. I research the signs and request help when needed. I find out that what I have been doing is called Glossing ASL. I also find out that I’m not doing it right because I’m leaving out the important ASL classifiers, a subject I am just starting to understand. Regardless of my glossing skills, my ASL receptive skills have improved. I can almost watch a few verses now without having to slow it down or rewind the video.

August 28. 2008: I am nearing the end of “glossing” the First Book of Nephi. In my attempts to reduce the clutter in my computer, I accidentally delete a year’s worth of physical effort. I search frantically for a copy in my backup folders, RW disks, and USB drives. It’s gone. I cry and get angry at myself. I then remember that spiritually I have learned and gained more than I ever expected. I vow to continue on, perhaps not glossing every sign, but researching every unlearned sign and phrase until I finish the Book of Mormon in ASL or until I die, whichever comes first.

I simply love the Book of Mormon in ASL. It is not 2-dimensional; it is a living and breathing book. I think that’s pretty cool.

A Demonstration in Patience

The required reading for my second ASL class at the Salt Lake Community College is When the Mind Hears: A History of the Deaf by Harlan Lane. The first chapter is the story of Laurent Clerc’s early childhood. His parents, after discovering he is deaf and not knowing what to do with him, send him off to an institution for the deaf. It is here where he gains an education by learning to read, write, and sign in French.

This method of teaching by using sign language and written words would have been sufficient for him. After all he was deaf. But the popular belief of the day was that the Deaf needed to learn how to talk. So he spent time after school with the abbe’ Margaron for articulation lessons. He learned how to make the sounds for the letters of the alphabet and many short words, but he had great difficulty with knowing the difference between da and ta, de and te, do and to, etc. Clerc goes into heart-wrenching detail about how the abbe’ tried to get him to make those sounds, even down to the smell of his breath.

“Taaa, daaa, teee, deee,” he made me screech again and again, but contort my face as I would, fighting back the tears, search as I would desperately, in a panic, for the place in my mouth accurately to put my tongue, convulse as I would my breathing—I succeeded no better. One day he became so impatient he gave me a violent blow on the chin.”

All of the bitterness he had experienced previously in his life came down upon him at that moment. “I turned my back on them and walked away, toward my new family. I have never spoken again.”

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 – I am in my second ASL class at the Salt Lake Community College. As it is still early before class begins, there is me, one other student, and the instructor. We sit in the classroom and wait for the other students to arrive. I start signing to our teacher. He tells us (in sign of course) that he taught ASL in church, but not in a college setting. We are his first class and he is excited.

As with my first ASL class, our teacher is Deaf and there is a “no talking allowed” policy from the time each class period begins until we are dismissed. We are not even suppose to talk in the hall if we are preparing a project. I like that policy. As difficult as it is, it’s easier to learn ASL if no one talks.

This first class period is mostly to introduce the syllabus and to get to know each other by name and face. As the class progresses and our teacher gives instructions in sign, it becomes apparent that some students must have barely passed the first class. He asks us if we have any questions and makes the sign for “question”.

One student does not understand the sign, or so it seems that she does not understand it. Upon later reflection I think that maybe she did not understand the entire sentence. Or perhaps she had become lost in the previous discussion. Our teacher sees that she does not understand him, so he fingerspells Q-U-E-S-T-I-O-N. Her face is looking lost, so he fingerspells it again more slowly. He does this three more times, each time fingerspelling more slowly. She is still not getting it, so he signs “Q”. She is not getting that, so he requests that someone tell her what that letter is. Finally, he writes the word “question” on a piece of paper. Now she gets it.

Several students roll their eyes and chuckle. But our wonderful teacher never bats an eye or makes a sound. He is infinitely patient with her.

Would Clerc have learned how to talk if his teacher had shown patience as our ASL instructor had demonstrated to the student in my class? I don’t know. Perhaps if he had, he would later on in his life decide that talking only benefits those who hear and do not know how to sign. It may not serve him and in fact be problematic for him.

Will the student in my class decide that learning ASL is not for her because a few students rolled their eyes and chuckled, or will she return because her teacher is remarkably patient and kind, and knows how important it is to teach a willing student how to sign? I will find out on Tuesday. I predict she will return.

Bearing My Testimony in the Deaf Ward

Sunday, August 3:

I always know when I am suppose to bear my testimony in Church. I get the idea in my head sometimes days in advance of Fast and Testimony Meeting, and no matter how hard I try to put it out of my mind, it won’t go away. This time I not only want to bear my testimony, I want to do it in ASL, to share my message directly with the people in the Deaf ward. I have never had anyone voice interpret my signs, so I am debating in my head if this is such a good idea.

After the passing of the Sacrament and everyone is invited to share their testimonies, one person stands up and shares his testimony in Sign Language. Then no one gets up. I’m feeling that prompting and have a personal dialogue that goes something like this:

Me: “Someone please get up.”
Spirit: “You get up.”
Me: “I’m chicken.”
Spirit: “You’ve got something to say. Now get up there and say it.”
Me: “Oh ok! Fine.”

I walk up to the front of the chapel and Bishop asks me if I need an interpreter. I sign to him that I will try to sign. I stand at the podium and give Pat (the interpreter) what I think is the sign for “Good luck.” I sign to everyone that I will try to sign and it is hard. Pat immediately voices what I am signing and it throws me off for a moment. This is like being a ventriloquist, except that Pat is most certainly no dummy.

I continue my attempts to sign in ASL. For the most part, everything coming out of Pat’s mouth is spot on with what I am thinking in my head. This is very cool! There is only one place where I think I confuse her a little, but what she says is better than what it is in my head.

I essentially tell everyone that even though attending a hearing ward was very hard for me, I never before felt the Lord so close to me. He knew I was learning some important things. What did I learn? I needed to go back to the Deaf ward and learn ASL. He (the Lord) knows. I can’t think how to sign what I am feeling at this moment, but later on while another person shares his testimony, he signs what I was hoping to convey. The message is that the Lord is fully aware of the challenges of the Deaf and has plans for the Deaf Community.

I can’t think of anything more to say, and the whole experience is making my head spin, so I quickly sit down. One lady turns around and makes the sign for “beautiful”. I want to give her a big hug. If my testimony in ASL was beautiful I can only attribute it to the Spirit. There is no other way I could or would have done it.

“Show and Tell” for ASL Students

This was my “Show and Tell” story for my first ASL class at the Salt Lake Community College. I received 88 out of 100 points for my efforts. I was docked for grammar (which makes sense since I am still in Signed English mode), fingerspelling clarity, and facial expressions. My instructor loved the story though.