Hi all! I need help translating this video please! A random woman walked onto my aunt’s farm, took a dip in her pond, tried to open my aunts doors, and then signed this to the camera. What is she saying?
Thanks for your help!
Has anyone who has taken their BEI in very late June received their results yet?
I was working solo earlier and chatting with the DC, they were talking about the new Google Pixel 11 having an AI sign to text function. The signs used were CONCERN NEW TECHNOLOGY, they then went on to discuss the price and how it's unaffordable at the moment etc etc.
I'm wondering if there's another meaning I'm missing for CONCERN. I've always thought that sign was more related to worry, trepidation, a fear of the unknown/future kind of meaning. There was no worry about this feature, just a comment, a quick chat and back to work. This person is in for job training, so it's possible there is a thought relating to what work will look like after the interpreters leave, but that's not the impression I got.
Any suggestions will be helpful! Thanks in advance!
Hello!
I am a newish interpreter (3 years working) and I'm scheduled to interpret two nursing classes for a college level student starting in Sept. Before beginning I wanted to brush up on related vocab and I was wondering if anyone had a good source to get signs for some of the terminology. I know that medical and STEM vocab and signs can vary depending on region and the students background but I would like to find as many reliable sources as I can so that I'm as prepared as possible before classes start. Any recommendations on the best place to find the appropriate signs would be great! Thanks!
Hello everyone! I am finally making a big move after 12 years in the same city. Looking to connect with someone and ask about what the general interpreting culture in Boston/Mass is like.
Additionally I am wondering if freelance rates are still set by the Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing? The only table listed on the government website is from 2023.
If you are working a direct contract, are you still limited by the rates set by the Commission?
Thank you in advance!
I'm a hearing writer but went to NTID for interpreting and spent a lot of time interacting with Deaf people/ the community. I was just a part of a group where we listen to other people's stories and this one older woman had a moment where there was a little Deaf girl who's deafness is cured by some magical cookie. I tried to explain to the woman why this is offensive to the Deaf community and she just replies "well I talked to people with disabilities and they didn't have a problem with it". Is there something specific I can say that'll get it more through to her? Her story may be eligible for an award/ has already technically won one already and I don't want something so hurtful out there especially when it can so easily be changed
Hi everyone! 💜 I’ve been working on a personal project called Sign the Beat, and I’m finally at a point where I feel comfortable sharing it and getting some outside feedback.
I love ASL, and I also love music, so I wanted to experiment with a way of bringing the two together for people who are learning.
Sign the Beat lets you choose a song, follow along with the lyrics, and tap highlighted words to see and practice the corresponding ASL signs. The idea isn't to suggest that songs can simply be translated word-for-word into ASL. I know ASL has its own grammar, structure, context, and culture. Instead, I want this to be a fun supplemental tool that encourages people to learn individual signs, practice, and hopefully become even more interested in ASL.
I’m still developing it, which is actually why I’m sharing it here. I would genuinely love feedback, especially from Deaf/HoH people, ASL signers, interpreters, students, and anyone involved in the community.
What feels useful? What doesn't? Is anything confusing? And most importantly, is there anything you think I should change or approach differently?
I’m completely open to constructive criticism. I want to build this with respect for the language and the community surrounding it, rather than assuming I already have everything figured out.
💜 Sign the Beat is free to try:
Google DeepMind’s SL2T ASL-to-English app appears to be a pretty significant jump in quality from the previous demos we’ve seen. It’s even recognizing one-handed signing.
I’m really interested to see feedback once more people have had a chance to use it in real-world situations. Here are a couple of demos I’ve found so far:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Db8WAqfjtwo/img_index=1&igsh=MTNta3U4c2R0c2tvNg==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db9Xb0YON_j/igsh=NDk0dGdodHJyM3Y3
Edit**:** To clarify, because I think the intent of my post is being misunderstood: I am not posting this because I’m excited about AI replacing interpreters or because I support that outcome. I’m posting it as a heads-up to our profession.
In previous discussions about AI interpreting, many of us have pointed to the technology’s inability to translate ASL to English accurately, handle diverse signing styles, or deal with things like one-handed signing as reasons it was still a long way from posing a serious threat to human interpreters. What caught my attention about these demos is that some of those limitations appear to be improving, and improving substantially.
I don’t think it serves us to dismiss advances in the technology because we dislike what they could mean for our profession. Recognizing that it is getting better is not the same thing as celebrating it. If anything, I think interpreters need to be paying close attention to these developments precisely because of the potential implications for our work.
My interest in seeing feedback from actual users is also not enthusiasm for AI interpreting. A polished demo is one thing. How well this performs with real Deaf people, diverse signers, natural language, and real-world communication is another. That is the feedback I’m interested in seeing.
I am not entirely sure if this would fall under this reddit but I start college next week for my degree in Deaf studies with a track in asl interpretation. I am wondering if anyone has any tips on the best way to really study for this? Does anyone have any like apps or websites where I can go to practice more? Ik it sounds dumb obviously just study but I am just nervous and want to do good. I care a lot about this career and I want to ensure I am doing all that I can to understand my work.
Hi! I have a question primarily for the Deaf redditors, but open to all. I’m curious, what small acts do interpreters do that make us feel more trustworthy and safe?
I’m also curious to know the interpreter perspective as well! What do the Deaf consumers you work with enjoy?
I don’t work with any clients regularly, especially after the summer. I’m trying to identify places where I may have gaps before I start consistently working in the community again. I’m thinking small things like smiling, clapping when appropriate, back-channeling, or whatever else I might not be aware of that I can be doing. (:
Does anyone here work in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas? I’m looking to move over there next year and would love some guidance on agencies you all like to work with, how feasible it is to be a full-time interpreter without a car, and if any of you have experience living in Philly while taking jobs in surrounding cities like NYC or DC.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Hey all, just thought I'd give a heads up. There's an interpreting student sending DMs, trying to find an interpreter to help them cheat on their final exam. I totally get test anxiety and fear of failure, but cheating isn't the way to handle it.My response is the picture.
Id like help, edits, phrasing, references for an email to request interpreters. The venue will hire terps with no issue. The problem is with where they set up the deaf access seats.
The pic is from the previous concert in that venue. My back was against the wall in a walkway. The railing was short with a 30 foot drop. See the 5 and 7 year old for height reference. For this show, another deafie showed couple joined us and the area was too cramped. We ended up moving the whole party to the wheelchair deck on the floor.
I know I bought the cheap seats. I don’t care about being front row in the pit. I just want to have good sight lines while keeping my interpreters safe.
This is what I have so far:
Hello,
I have three tickets to the (band name) concert on (date). I am deaf and need ASL interpreters. Additionally, I am a cane user and am unable to manage stairs.
With this show, I want to avoid the hassle and dangerous situation that we had at the (previous band) concert last May. The wheelchair seating in the 300 sections are not suitable or safe for the interpreters to work. The wheelchair deck on the floor was suitable during the (previous previous band) in January. You can work with (interpreter name) to set up a suitable, accessible area for us. She knows my preferences as well.
I’m looking forward to the show.
Thanks,
Benshenanigans
By all means, critique this draft. I want to be firm, but not needy. A lecture on accessibility would fall on deaf ears. Thanks for your help.
howdy team!
Edu terp here and I need to renew my authorization to work this fall and I need to wrap up a few continued education hours. I’ve found quite a good deal but I need some, any suggestions where to search?
much appreciated :)
i am a recent grad of an interpreter education program with a major in deaf studies. i will say i had kinda a rough last time just not feeling fully into interpreting when i started and the whole program made it worse. compared to my friends i just didn’t have the passion and drive like them. now after my last semester with my internship and everything i feel so burnt out. i don’t think i enjoy interpreting but im not sure what to do with a kinda niche degree. not sure if i should just ride it out or start on a different path. any advice would be appreciated 🤟🏼
I’m starting uni in about a week, my major is ASL focused on English Interpreting. I notice more now very depressing comments in general about the state of interpreters relating to their jobs. The economy and job market being so weird currently doesn’t help. #ilovebeing18in2026 😀
I know people are worried about the whole “will ai take interpreters too?” question, but it’s hard not to be a little scared as an incoming ASL major. Should I plan on changing my major or stick through with it?
I know having another option is always good, any ideas that aren’t the classic answer (SLP)?
I have 5+ years Educational interpreting experience and started freelance interpreting in June.
Situatuon: (a Highschool class or community interpreting job, nothing Court.) Your job is scheduled for 1hr and you are paid for 2hr (2 hr minimum booking). The job runs past your 1 hr. Do you stay or do you leave when you 1 hr is up, why?
As interpreters, we dedicate our time, professionalism, and personal resources to serve the immigration courts. Many of us rearrange our schedules, decline other work, purchase airfare, book hotels, and travel long distances based on confirmed assignments.
For some interpreters, a sudden disqualification or last-minute assignment cancellation has resulted in lost income, unreimbursed expenses, and significant financial hardship.
If this happened to you, your experience matters.
I am gathering information from current and former SOSi interpreters to determine whether others have experienced similar circumstances involving assignment cancellations, disqualification notices, or related financial losses. The information collected may help evaluate whether there is a common pattern and whether collective legal action, including a possible class action or mass arbitration, should be considered.
Please complete this confidential survey:
Participation is voluntary. At this stage, I am collecting information only. No conclusions have been reached, and completing the survey does not create an attorney-client relationship or constitute legal advice.
One person's experience may be dismissed as an isolated incident. Many documented experiences can help determine whether there is a broader issue affecting interpreters nationwide.
Your voice matters. Your experience matters. Together, we can determine the facts.
Can anyone share their experience interpreting while taking Topamax?
I have chronic migraines, and Topamax has been recommended to me by two of my doctors. I’ve read that a fairly common side effect is trouble finding words or mild aphasia, which obviously concerns me as an interpreter. Language processing and rapid word retrieval are literally at the core of what we do, and I can’t imagine purposely making an already cognitively demanding job harder by reducing my capacity in that area.
I’m hoping to eventually get Botox for migraine prevention, but it sounds like my insurance may require me to try more than one preventive medication first.
I’d especially love to hear from interpreters who have actually taken Topamax. Did you experience word-finding or other cognitive issues? If so, how noticeable were they while interpreting? Did they improve over time or after stopping the medication?
Any experiences or feedback are welcome. Thanks!
Hey guys, I’m a new mom and looking into VRI options so I can be home with my baby more. What are the best VRI jobs out there? I’m certified with just over 8 years of interpreting experience, 4 of them include VRS experience. Thanks!