Working with Sign Language Interpreters
in Catholic Religious Settings


What is an Interpreter?  What does an Interpreter Do?

A professional sign language interpreter translates between spoken language (such as English or Spanish) and a form of manual communication (sign language). The interpreter facilitates communication so that the parties involved have equal access to information. The interpreter is not to be involved in the discussion or do any other tasks.

An interpreter must be fluent in both the spoken language and the signed language used in order to accurately convey the message. Most professional interpreters have completed a minimum of two to four years of study of deaf community, deaf culture and sign language before beginning their careers.

Deaf and hard of hearing persons use a variety of communication modes, including American Sign Language (ASL, a true language that does not follow English grammar rules), contact signing (previously referred to as "Pidgin Sign English" (PSE, which borrows vocabulary from ASL while preserving English word order) and the oral method (which depends primarily on lipreading). Knowing which method an individual or group prefers will determine what type of interpreting skills are needed and what the interpreter should expect upon arrival.

Professional interpreters are bound by the Code of Ethics of the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID), including:
When is an Interpreter Needed?

Many deaf and hard of hearing persons depend on a sign language or oral interpreter to enable them to be fully involved in whatever is going on around them.

Technically, a distinction is made between sign language interpretation and sign language transliteration. Sign language interpretation converts American Sign Language (ASL) into spoken English and spoken English into ASL It involves working with two distinct languages. Sign language transliteration converts signed English to spoken English and spoken English to signed English. Basically, it involves working with the syntax/linguistic structure of one language, English. For our purposes,  "interpreting" includes both sign language interpreting and transliterating.

An interpreter should be made available whenever a deaf or hard of hearing person or the parent/guardian of a deaf or hard of hearing child requests the services of an interpreter to participate in situations such as meetings, educational classes, medical/legal appointments, workshops, retreats and religious events. The preference of the person requesting the service should be honored; it is the responsibility of the sponsoring agency or institution to make every effort to provide the interpreting service according to the format requested.

Offering a sign language interpreter when advertising an event such as a conference or workshop will encourage deaf people to attend, and will equalize access to opportunities that previously have been available only to the hearing population.

According to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), no individual shall be denied "full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation" on the basis of disability. "Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with ... hearing impairments." This includes the provision of professional interpreting services. (Title 111)

Catholic churches and organizations are further challenged by the "Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities" (promulgated Nov. 16, 1978) which stated that the Church must defend the rights of persons with disabilities to "achieve the fullest measure of personal development of which he or she is capable ... including the right to equal opportunity in education, in employment, in housing, as well as the right to free access to public accommodations, facilities and services." (Section II, Paragraph 7)

"It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to people with disabilities, since these forms are the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian community together. To exclude members of the parish from these celebrations of the life of the Church, even by omission, is to deny the reality of that community. ... Realistic provision must be made for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations such as the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick. ... Celebrating liturgies simultaneously in sign language enables the deaf person to enter more deeply into their spirit and meaning." "Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities" (Paragraph 23)

How do I Work with an Interpreter?

Be comfortable with the interpreter; the interpreter's job is to facilitate communication. Everything that is interpreted will remain confidential for the interpreter; it is a violation of interpreting ethics to reveal anything communicated while interpreting to an outside party. Speak naturally, clearly and at a normal rate; the interpreter will inform the speaker if he or she needs to adjust the rate of speaking. Allow extra time for responses and discussion; the interpreter will be a little behind the conversation. Face the deaf person(s) while speaking; this will feel awkward at first, since the deaf person(s) will be watching the interpreter and may not always be in direct eye contact with the speaker. Avoid phrases such as "Tell him ..." or "Ask her ... "; speak as if the interpreter were not there. Avoid asking the interpreter for an opinion or to explain something.

How Do I Find an Interpreter?

First, determine the basic information concerning the event (date(s), times, duration, nature of the event) and the kind of sign language the deaf persons/group prefers. Second, obtain a referral for a qualified interpreter from one of the local agencies that coordinate interpreter services.

For situations lasting two or more hours, two (or more) interpreters should be used and should rotate every 20 to 30 minutes, at the interpreters' discretion.

General Principles and Policies for Working with Interpreters in Religious Settings

1) Interpreting is a distinct role, requiring an interpreter's complete attention. It is not possible for a person both to participate and interpret at an event. Thus, it is unfair to expect a parent, relative or friend who is attending a function also to serve as an interpreter. A third party is needed to allow all to participate fully.

2) Competence is essential in selecting an interpreter. Competence includes necessary fluency in sign language and in the language being spoken (English, Spanish, etc.), adherence to the Code of Ethics, and knowledge of Catholic and religious vocabulary and signs. Knowledge of Catholic belief and practice is certainly desirable, and may be a necessity in some situations (e.g. a theological talk or catechetical conference). An interpreter is expected is use the mode of communication preferred by the deaf person(s), i.e., American Sign Language (ASL), Contact Signing (Pidgin Signed English), etc. Deaf persons have the right to work with an interpreter whom they understand clearly and with whom they feel comfortable.

3) When hiring interpreters regularly, it is ideal to work with the same interpreter or group of interpreters each time.

4) Interpreters perform a professional function and have professional training; in justice, they have a right to compensation. Paying interpreters is the responsibility of the sponsoring parish, agency, or institution, not the deaf individual, the family or guardians. Compensation rates vary from place to place and can vary with the interpreter's level of certification and experience, the type of setting, and time. Travel time is paid as interpreting time.Typical rates are around $40 an hour with a 2 hour minimum,  and can be seen on Aurora's page.  Some interpreters prefer to volunteer their services, but that is the interpreter's choice, not the sponsor's. Do not expect all interpreters to volunteer because one or more has volunteered in the past.

5) Good visibility is crucial to interpreting. Ideally, interpreter and deaf persons are close to each other. Sight lines need to be clear and unobstructed; reserved seating for deaf persons in front usually accomplishes this. Good lighting - bright, but not glaring is essential. Ideally, an interpreter works in front of a neutral background: i.e., plain, single dull or darker color, without decorations or persons moving about. Interpreters generally wear clothing that contrasts with their skin tone and little jewelry to make seeing their signs easier. Lack of contrast or bright background lighting/colors can cause eye strain for deaf persons. Do not position the interpreter in front of a window in the daytime.

6) Some situations, such as working with a deaf-blind individual, require one-on-one interpreting. In such cases, the interpreter and participant require nearness, i.e., sitting across from or next to one another.

Working with Interpreters at Mass and the Celebration of Sacraments

General Principle: Interpreting at Mass or any liturgical celebration demands a special role on the part of the interpreter. Ordinarily, an interpreter "facilitates communication so that the parties involved have equal access to information." In a prayer setting, an interpreter's role is not merely to convey information, but to facilitate the deaf people's "full and active participation" in the liturgy. ("Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy," paragraph 14) Accordingly, the interpreter is best understood as one of the liturgical ministers, with a proper role and function, as are the lector, song leader, servers and Eucharistic ministers.

1) At the vast majority of liturgies, a single interpreter works throughout. However, it is appropriate to utilize several interpreters at a liturgy (i.e., a different interpreter for the presider, the lector and the music, in keeping with the various liturgical roles), for special celebrations. When a deaf person proclaims the readings in sign language, the interpreter proclaims the readings orally ("voices the readings.")

2) Deaf persons must focus on the interpreter for everything that is spoken. For deaf persons to be able to see - and
therefore participate - in the action of the liturgy, it is necessary for the interpreter be as close as possible to that action. Ordinarily, this means that the interpreter will stand near the presider at the chair, the pulpit, and the altar, and near the lector during the readings. In churches with very large sanctuaries, such as a cathedral, it may be advantageous for the deaf participants if the interpreter is closer to them, outside the sanctuary. In such cases, the interpreter should be in line of sight with the altar. It is never appropriate to place the deaf congregation and the interpreter "on the side" or out of sight of the liturgy.

3) The interpreter should be given a copy of all texts used in the service in advance. These include the readings, petitions, lyrics for all songs, commentary and, if possible, the homily. Translation of any foreign language text (e.g. Latin or Spanish) should be made available as well. An interpreter may wish to have a music stand during the service to enable quick reference to a text.

4) Some song lyrics are difficult to translate into sign language. Ideally, a representative of the deaf community or an interpreter can be part of the liturgy planning process, to enable the choice of selections meaningful and accessible to all.

5) Changes to a liturgy plan, especially in the texts or choice of music, need to be given to the interpreter as soon as possible. It is also helpful to inform an interpreter of any special aspects or elements to the service, such as a procession.
Interpreters are expected to be available to sign for any pre-service announcements or practices.

6) Interpreters may wish to consider wearing colors that coordinate with the liturgical season or feast, especially if other liturgical ministers do so. Wearing a gown or choir robe (as liturgical ministers do in some parishes) may be problematic for an interpreter because of the long, flowing sleeves typical of such gowns/robes.

7) Especially when a parish begins providing interpreted Masses on a regular basis, it is appropriate to provide some orientation to the hearing congregation. This orientation can include basic information about deaf people and sign language, the role of an interpreter in allowing deaf persons to participate fully in the liturgy and practical information about which Mass(es) will be interpreted, where the deaf members of the congregation will be seated, etc. It can be particularly effective when a deaf person can address the congregation and explain what interpreting the liturgy means to him/her. It may also be helpful to ask the regular interpreter to provide input for or give one of these orientations. Most hearing persons find that the interpreting actually adds to the beauty and prayerfulness of a liturgy. Even those few who initially find the interpreting distracting usually become accustomed to it within a few weeks.

Adapted from the policies of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf
4/1/2003

Back to our home page

Back to the Interpreter page