Sign Language Interpreters and Fillers You Didn't Use

As a deaf person who utilizes ASL interpreters frequently, one of the things that frustrates me the most is when an interpreter uses fillers that I didn’t use. This short vlog will explain what fillers are, why they undermine deaf people, and share tips for both interpreters and deaf consumers. . 🚨 🚨 Note that what I am sharing here is NOT to be confused with putting up with an interpreter who is not qualified to interpret for you. By law, entities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act are required to provide effective communication to people with communication disabilities, and if you find yourself working with an interpreter who is not qualified and therefore unable to facilitate effective communication, you should inform the covered entity and reschedule the event with an interpreter who is qualified to interpret for you. . . VD: Mary is signing as she sits on a gray chair in front of wooden soft white blinds. She is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt. Her wavy brown hair is worn down. . . . TRANSCRIPT: As a deaf person who utilizes ASL interpreters on a frequent basis, one of the things that frustrates me the most is when an interpreter uses fillers that I didn’t use. This short vlog will explain what fillers are, why they undermine deaf people, and share tips for both interpreters and deaf consumers. Fillers are short, meaningless words or sounds that are used to fill pauses that occur while we decide what we’re going to say next. In this case, fillers are typically used during the translation process when something is signed, whether because an interpreter does not fully understand, needs time to process and translate, or is unsure how to interpret something. Common examples of fillers are: uh, um, ah, er, so, like, you know, etc. When interpreters use fillers that we did not use, this can make us appear unconfident and less knowledgeable or capable. Also, hearing people are usually unable to tell that this is the interpreter’s doing, not ours. . For interpreters, if you find yourself needing to use fillers that were not used by the deaf consumer, try to analyze why, because that can give you valuable information. If you use fillers because you aren’t sure whether you understood the deaf consumer, please pause and state that you, the interpreter, need a moment to clarify, and ask the deaf consumer to repeat and/or clarify. Or, if you use fillers because you aren’t sure how to interpret something, pause and state that you, the interpreter, need a moment to translate what was signed. Please don’t let this fall on the deaf consumer. Practice interpreting statements without using fillers. . For deaf consumers, don’t be afraid to discuss this with your interpreter. Let them know that it’s okay to pause the conversation every now and then to ask you for clarification or give themselves a few seconds to process and interpret what was signed. This is far better than the interpreter assuming and filling gaps with fillers. Personally, I like to provide the interpreter assigned to me with contextual information prior to a situation or event, if possible. For me, this often results in a more effective interpreting experience.