Things People Say to Interpreters

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Do you read Braille?

For team assignments: Why are there two of you?

I bet your hands get really tired doing this.

Who do you work for?

You brought/came with them (deaf client) right?

So, how long have they been deaf? (Or other background info on Client)

Am I talking too fast?

Could you sign that again?

If you want to see something "funny" watch the interpreter sign this.

Can he/she (deaf client) drive?

I know how to sign, can you read this? (fingerspelling H-I)

How did he/she go deaf?

So, what kind of job will he/she be able to do?

Did you know there is an operation now that can cure deafness?

Aren't you worried that your job will be made obsolete by computers?

You spell a lot of words, don't you know all the signs?

It must be very fulfilling to work with deaf people!

Wow, you really did a great job...I watched you much more than I watched the speaker.

From kids: How come you were dancing on stage?

From kids: Aren't you the guy who was making all those faces?

(After flailing their arms and fingers about) What did I say?

God must have blessed your hands.

You must find this job very rewarding/satisfying.

Educational setting: When will you get promoted to a teacher?

When signing to include everyone in a conversation: You don't have to sign for me. I can hear.

 

Ideas donated by: Kip Lewis, Catspaw, Greg, Robin, Martin, Bruce, Linda, Danita, Karen, Mike, Janish, Vicki, Jerry.

Based upon an idea of J. Wolf.