Hello, and welcome to Tina's Corner Podcast. We are a group of like minded sign language interpreters set out to improve the field of interpreting. We have deaf consumers, hearing consumers and deaf blind consumers as well. And both hearing and deaf interpreters. The focus of this podcast is to strengthen the bond between these groups of individuals, all persons, regardless of years of experience will benefit. I am Tina Perry, and I welcome you. Today I have invited Helen to share her insights, her experiences so that others can see that interpreters traveled different roads on their journey, only to arrive at the same destination, equality of information for all consumers. Welcome, Helen.
Helen:Hi, Tina.
Tina:I'm glad you're here. We are looking so forward to hearing about your experiences. And before we get started, Helen, I want to introduce you to our listening and reading audience. Now Helen Dickey is from Tennessee, where I just moved to the beautiful place, state of Tennessee. She has been working as a professional interpreter for 30 years, 15 years of that would be considered contract interpreting, and 15 years of Video Relay Service or VRS interpreting. She has a degree in deaf education, and has taught deaf and hard of hearing students for 21 years. She teaches a basic ASL skills in the post secondary for which she has been there three years. And Helen is also our RID certified. Helen, I welcome you. And I thank you for taking the time to do this. (Helen) Thank you.(Tina) Before we get started, Helen, I'd like for you just to kind of tell us like, what made you get into the field of sign language interpreting?
Helen:Well, when I was in college, I had a dear friend who was interested in sign language. And she wanted to practice with somebody and I volunteered and I became fascinated with the language itself. I kept looking for opportunities to learn more and volunteer. And then I had a roommate and best friend who was going into interpreting. And I became very interested at that point, and wanted to go into interpreting at that time. There was no degree back then, there was only a certificate program. And so I chose to go into Deaf Ed. instead. Because I needed to get a degree. However, I still pursued interpreting because I love the language and love the people.
Tina:So you had somebody was using you as their practice and part partner. Unknown to you, excuse me, you were getting ready to start your new career because of what they have asked had asked you to do.
Helen:That's awesome. Yeah, yeah, it was a great experience.
Tina:So are they interpreting or signing or do anything with what they were learning with?
Helen:You know, that particular person who got me started, I have not been in touch with him. And so I have no idea. At the time, you know, they were a good friend, but we lost touch over the years, the roommate and the college friend. We have been in touch and she is still interpreting very actively.
Tina:Yeah. So did you ever do any formalized training in interpreting?(Helen) No. But you did pursue the great degree in deaf ed? Yes. And then what didyou do? Go ahead.
Helen:Well, during that time, at the program, where I was, there were a lot of Deaf people and a lot of interpreters and other people who are going into deaf ed or or counseling with a specialization in deafness. And so we had a lot of opportunities to interact with each other and I became good friends with some Deaf people there and kept learning sign language as I was doing the teaching program only required ASL one and two. So that's all I had. Wow. And but the rest of it was my friends and and other people in my program. And I thought it was a great way to learn. Great way to learn.
Tina:Yeah probably much better than having it in the classroom. And I don't mean to knock teachers of ASL, because that would be knocking myself but we know, the immersion or working with deaf people being, around deaf people is is a much better teaching program. So while you were in school, how long how long was that four years?
Helen:It was five years because to become a teacher of the deaf, I had to get my master's. Okay. And so I finished my bachelor's in elementary ed and then went straight into the master's program and then (inaudible).
Tina:And then you did you went into work with deaf children after that point upon your graduation?
Helen:okay, right. Yeah, I graduated and went straight into the teaching field and haven't regretted it. I loved it. I really enjoyed working with deaf and hard of hearing students, and teaching them sign language in some cases and learning from them as well.
Tina:Yeah. And then that's where you stayed for, like 15 years?
Helen:I was 21 years that I was teaching. And at the same time, because I hadn't lost my, my desire to be an interpreter at the same time, and I kept looking for opportunities to learn more about interpreting, and eventually got my certification. But I really worked hard while I was teaching to become a professional interpreter at the same time.
Tina:What intrigued you about being an interpreter as opposed to being a teacher?
Helen:I think because all of the interpreters I knew, as far as I could see, they were jumping into a lifelong learning process with the language. And I've always enjoyed languages in general. When I was in college, I got to go on a field trip, and I met someone who was a teacher of the deaf, and also a sign language interpreter. And it fascinated me because I tried to ask her, why would you do both? And she said, I love both. And I thought, Well, I think that applies to me as well. I love the process of both. So the interpreting part was always a fascination for me, and a great way to be involved with a deaf community, which I love.
Tina:So tell me about your first interpreting assignment or first interpreting job.
Helen:When I see I had moved to California, and I was going to a Deaf Church, and some of the Deaf people from the Deaf Church was head pastor also wanted to go to the hearing section of the church and have the service interpreted. So I had a friend who was interpreting there, and she allowed me to volunteer to interpret at the church as well. And she was a great mentor. The Deaf people who came there also were wonderful mentors and helped me learn more signs that way. But that was my first volunteer interpreting. And then I got involved in a Deaf agency in that area and got more involved in the Deaf community, and eventually took the NAD test and was able to go on community assignment for the agency. And that was my first paid interpreting position.
Tina:So you took the NAD performance test that they had, whoa that's been several years ago, right?
Helen:Yes, that was back in 1991.
Tina:Wow. Wow. How did you prepare for that?
Helen:Well, there was a videotape, I remember studying and I talked to a lot of different interpreter friends who had taken it. And I was so nervous and going into it, I don't think I could hardly sit still, because I was so nervous about it. But I had studied as much as I could. And I really, you know, looking back, I was so wet behind the years, you know, I didn't really know how to study for this. But I watched the video and I tried to practice and, so I didn't pass I think I got something like a level two, which is not officially passing. There wasn't at the time, but I it was good enough for the experience, and allowed me to get jobs still as an interpreter, even though I wasn't officially certified, but it was a great experience.
Tina:Did you take it again?
Helen:I did, yes. A few years later, I thought, well, what the heck. You know, I've been through it once. Why not? And I wasn't I didn't feel ready to take our RID's test yet. And so I set it again and had some friends that I studied with and took the NAD again, and that kind of level three, I think so I was like well, okay, fine. Some improvement.
Tina:Yeah, you know, the theme I'm hearing amongst all interpreters that I interview is the same thing. I just took the test just to see, just to see what it's like. And I think a lot of people that's what we recommend, even in interpreting programs, just just get in there and see what the fear is all about because you said it. I know when I took mine, I was like, What am I doing? Why am I doing this? This is crazy. And I paid to do this. I was like, I know. It's just so nerve racking and yeah, so, and many people are saying, you know, I don't even know how I prepared, I just went in and did it. Right, right. That's kind of a hard concept. Now for our students to be like, well, I'm just not going to just go in and do it. I need something, some way to practice and but with the education that they're in, I know a lot of programs help with that process of learning how to prepare for those tests. But back in our day, like, here's to pay your money and money and come on over.
Helen:It was like, right, exactly. Yes.
Tina:I remember when I left my RID test my performance part of the test. I remember saying to my husband, I if I fail, I have no idea what I'm going to study. I did everything the right way I left with the worst migraine ever. I was pregnant. Oh, I'm sure yes. And I remember. He said, well, let's just go eat. And we did and I passed. But I yeah, I can't even tell you. You know, I don't even remember that whole test. I was just right blocked it out of my mind. It was just a nerve wracking experience. But I passed it was like done with that.
Helen:Well, for the RID, I remember I study for about a year with a friend of mine, who was also going to take it. And that helped a lot to have somebody else who was going to go through the same at, about the same time, you know, and she and I, and I actually went and on the same weekend, we had to travel to go take it. And we went through the videotape, we had other books and other videos that we studied at the time and asked other interpreters about their experience and so forth. And so what I remember afterwards is realizing what other interpreters had told me, realizing that it's true that when you pass, it's just a starting point, you know, all of that time, I thought, ooh, and I'm certified, I will have arrived. Really an interpreter, you know. And at that point, when I realized I passed, I thought, I'm not sure how I passed. I don't feel good enough, you know. And but I realized, you know, it's a starting point, I have proved that I can study, that I can learn that I can keep learning. And so that's what I'll do.
Tina:And that's a great point. It's not the end, it's the beginning, the beginning, and sometimes you have oh my gosh, now I've got this certification, I have to live up to it. Before it's like no, not yet, you know, I don't have to live up now I've got this certification. It's like now what?. And yeah, I think that's a great point. And the other point that you made that I'm hearing over and over is I had a buddy, I studied with somebody, and people have gone and taken the test together. So I think that there's comfort in numbers. And yeah, that's what you're saying is that, you know, find somebody to practice with. Yeah, don't be an island. Right. Right. So you you had your first interpreting job, how did you start getting yourself into the field to get more more assignments, or I don't know, if you had one place you worked for, or were you strictly contract.
Helen:At that time, I was still teaching fulltime. And so I just did the freelance or you know, you would call it community work now, job for this deaf agency, I was volunteering at the deaf agency. And that's how I knew they needed interpreters. And I was volunteering at events that they held, I was going to the Deaf Church as much as I could, where I found a wonderful acceptance and understanding from all the Deaf people there. And I kept going and kept getting involved and made wonderful friends in the deaf community. And that really helped me improve my confidence, which is a huge step when you're an interpreter because without the confidence, it's very difficult to grow. And this being with deaf people and realizing that some of the Deaf people I met were, dear, dear friends, helped me feel like okay, I can do this and I can serve them and be friends and keep learning. So that's really what I did. I would say, for a long, long time. I kept volunteering. I don't as much now because of family. But I did a quite a bit back then.
Tina:So what do you think about this statement and you've heard this before, I'm sure. "Don't do that until you get the experience". But the funny thing about getting experience is you have to do it, you know, like, a hard for me to say don't go into that specialized area until you get experience. But I heard you tell the answer to that. And the answer that you just said was volunteer, I've volunteered, to have your face in every place. They they trusted you, you were volunteering, I get an I hear people saying, but you know, I've just paid for two or four years of college, and I need to have an income. And that certainly is a valid point, of course. And it doesn't mean you volunteer every minute of your time. And I even heard you say we don't necessarily mean need to be volunteering, interpreting, but being in places where there are deaf people, or where there is some interpreting going on, that you're involved. Would you agree with that?
Helen:Oh, absolutely. Yeah. And I, I can't, I don't know, you know, looking back, if I would have done the same thing if I had not been teaching, because my teaching provided my income. So that helped me quite a bit, because then the rest of the time, I could afford to volunteer. And I could hang out with people as much as I wanted. And I also was not married, it didn't have a family. And so I had that time. But I think that anyone who was interested, and what I've seen proven, again and again, is that if you're interested and you want to learn, most people in the deaf community, welcome you. And they are happy to be with you and to mentor you along and encourage you. So that was always a really nice part of my journey is that I always felt welcome. Yeah.
Tina:And I think deaf people appreciate being an integral part of your learning and your career. I think that's the part that sometimes people try to eliminate, kind of tell people like, or I would tell students, you wouldn't go to a dentist that said, "You know what, I never done a root canal, because I just never had the time". And somebody made a really good point in another interview, well, usually a dentist is not going to start out doing root canals their first couple of years. But will have a mentor. And I think that's what we're saying here, is I want to do, let's just say legal, I'm just throwing that out there. Because it came to my mind. I want to do legal, but you're not going to send me day one to the courtroom. But you might send me day one to the courtroom with a certified interpreter who you know, has that experience. Because you just don't want to jump into those settings. And believe me, we've all been in them. Probably you and I more likely than others. Because of all the years we've been in. We were in many settings we should not have been in. And unfortunately, we the experience comes but at the expense sometimes of our Deaf consumers. And you know, I just can't so I don't think that's happening. I don't I'm hoping that doesn't happen as much today, because there's just so many resources to help the new up and coming interpreter.
Helen:Yeah. So yeah, the other thing when I started out was there was a need for people to work with DeafBlind people in the community where I live. And so I cut my teeth interpreting tactile for DeafBlind consumers. Wow. And that was a great way to learn signing, I never could quite fathom how the person I was interpreting for could understand my signs and all they could do is feel my hands, you know? No, they did. It was amazing.
Tina:It is amazing.
Helen:Yes. And they were patient. And I enjoyed it very much that I could actually be that bridge for this person who couldn't see or hear. And that taught me a lot of different ways of interpreting, which I'm not sure I would have learned just volunteering as I was otherwise. So that was a great experience.
Tina:I know exactly what you're saying. Because I, I used to work for a gentleman. I was his assistant at the Ohio DeafBlind Outreach Program. And I was like, how do you understand what I'm saying? Because they would nod or appropriately answer. And it's really understood. And sometimes I felt like it was just like, the tips of my fingers. Like, how are you doing this? Because, like, I don't think I would ever get this, but they did and it is amazing. And it does. Yeah, make. I don't know, I think it's a confidence builder and knowing that you know what they are getting this because of my work. I took a workshop a couple of weeks ago maybe now it's been a couple months ago, but somebody said and it was a good workshop. But the most profound thing that the leader of the workshop said was our job is very hard. And you know what, that kind of was like, there, right! This is a hard job, but we make it look like it's not. And I, that's a compliment to many interpreters.
Helen:Yes, it is.
Tina:So now you took the RID test, did you prepare any differently for that?
Helen:Well, I did this because of the experience I had had taking the NAD already. And so you know, the RID had the written part first that I prepared for with their little list that they sent out at a time. And then I read some books, you know, about interpreting and studied with my friend. And he and I went into the written at the same time and got that done. And then we were doing more preparation for the, the performance test. And at that time, I was like, I gotta take this seriously, I don't think I put the NAD as seriously as I should have. I think that I just kind of looked over the videos and said, "Yeah, yeah, I think I understand it", you know. And then when it came to the RID, I'm like, I gotta practice this, I have to be able to voice, which was my struggle at the time, and I have to be able to sign the way that they expect me to. And so it was good, because I think I was able to focus more on the RID when I took it. That helped. And I'm grateful that I passed the first time. And so I felt like I did an adequate job of preparing for it.
Tina:Yeah. Nice. So as we wind down this interview, can you tell me, and I know, there's probably more than one thing, but I want you to tell me one thing you would do, wish you would have done differently on this journey?
Helen:Yeah, that's a great question. And, you know, I was looking back at all of this time that I've worked in teaching and interpreting, and I feel like I had two careers going at the same time. But I felt like I got a pretty slow start on the interpreting side, even though that was my first love, you know, so to speak. I wouldn't trade it, I wouldn't trade either career, with the way it's happened. But the, I think, if I did anything differently, I would have been a little bit more confident and assertive and going after the interpreting part early on.
Tina:Okay. One more question. Before I let you go. What's your best piece of advice for somebody who is seeking a career or getting ready to go out into the field? What is your best piece of advice for them?
Helen:I would say go volunteer, find deaf people, find other interpreters. Just hang out. And as much time as you have time for don't worry about the videos or the lessons as much just go hang out with Deaf people.
Tina:Exactly. I had a student contact me who just graduated and was like, "Tina, I'm going I'm going to be an interpreter, you know. And will you look at my videos, I said, "My dear, we're done with videos, school, that's done. Now we have real life. So now it's time for you to find yourself mentors in the field. Quit worrying about these videos, we do that to train you to try to give you all the possible scenarios. Now you're about to do it". So it's just finding a group of people or maybe another interpreter that can help you. And building confidence and just understand that there's going to be assignments that will not be so confident building. Right! Something you can learn from always learn on and I think that's some good advice that somebody had said is every situation you can learn from and what you do with that information is very important. Helen, thank you so much. I know that you know you have a busy schedule, and I really appreciate you taking the time out to to help those who are getting ready to get into the field. This information is awesome. I it's just perfect for a student to hear and I cannot thank you enough for your time.(Helen) Thank you. (Tina) You're welcome. And to my listening and reading audience, we thank you for reading and listening to this podcast. I know that you will learn something from it and continue to listen and have a great day!