Things People Say to Interpreters

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Do they let you people do that?

Are you the minister?

Can you hear?

"Bobby" knows sign language -- he learned last week at church!

That is the most special thing I have ever seen.

I don't know sign language, but you are the best I've ever seen!

Did you get that?

Let me see how you signed that.

Oh, you're the first male interpreter we've had.

You're not So and So (another interpreter)

Don't tell them this....

Why are you still here?

We've never needed an interpreter before!?

You stay here while they take him into Triage in preparation for surgery. And later when taking him into surgery: You go out into the waiting room, we'll get you when they're done.

How much do they pay you to do this?

Do you get paid to do that?

Do you mind working voluntarily?

Oh, he's deaf?...What a shame...he's so good looking.

"Books for the deaf must be really thick." Perplexed I asked him why. "Because the authors would have to draw pictures of all those signs."

Will he grow out of it?

Hearing: We're going to show a video, so you'll have a break. Interpreter: Is it captioned? Hearing: I don't think so.

Where's your little friend (meaning the deaf client)?

Aren't you tired? or Aren't your hands tired?

That's so precious.

Here are his discharge papers; you can sign right here on this line.

 

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

Based upon an idea of J. Wolf.