COMMUNITY (Cont.)
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Behind the Scenes: Seven Things You Didn’t Know About Sign Interpreters Submitted By: Orange County Government
Among the familiar faces at Orange County Government’s COVID-19 updates (nearly 60 conferences and counting so far since March 2020) are American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, from Kissimmee-based ASL Services. The ASL interpreters play a key role in making sure the County’s hearing impaired residents have equal access to communication. Frequent viewers of the County’s press conferences often share positive comments on social media about the ASL interpreters, in addition to asking questions about their profession. a beginning-intermediate understanding of ASL. To attain an intermediate-fluent understanding, it takes an1. American Sign Language other 2 years of ASL/English is not universal. Like spoken interpretation training. languages, there are roughly 70 different sign languages 3. Lip reading is not a sucthroughout the world. Amer- cessful way of communiican Sign Language is only cation. Only 30 percent of used in America and was information can be compreformulated by the deaf com- hended from lip reading, munity in the United States. which means more than half of communication is lost on 2. American Sign Language individuals who are hearing interpretation is a profesimpaired if ASL interpretasion. To become a certified tion is not provided. ASL interpreter, individuals must go to college to study 4. ASL interpreters can be ASL signs, finger spelling deaf. Certified deaf interpretand body language. They ers are interpreters who are obtain degrees and particable to bridge the cultural ipate in many trainings, gap between the hearing and until they are fluent in the deaf communities. They are language. Generally, it takes able to provide a message at least 2-3 years to attain from the hearing interpreter Several facts about the ASL community everyone should know:
to the deaf interpreter, and then from the deaf interpreter to the deaf individual, ensuring that the communication is clear and concise.
while signing.
6. Facial expressions are an essential part of ASL communication. ASL interpreters use exaggerated facial expressions because it helps convey words and emotions
To watch past Orange County COVID-19 press conferences, visit ocfl.net/newsroom.
7. People of all ages experience hearing impairment. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, one in eight people 5. ASL is not English. ASL in the United States, aged 12 does not follow the English years or older, has hearing word order, which is why loss in both ears, based on closed captioning is not an effective communication tool standard hearing examinations. Because of this staggerfor some hearing impaired individuals. ASL has its own ing statistic, it is the County’s duty to make sure all of grammar and syntax. In addition, many in the deaf com- Central Florida has access to proper communication munity do not read; another reason why closed captioning during times of uncertainty – from language interpretation is not an effective communito ASL interpretation. cation tool.
Avalon Park is proud of Resident Jonathan Sanchez for being a trilingual sign language interpreter for Orange County!
