?? Fall is all about Awareness ??

This month's newsletter is going to talk about Awareness.

September celebrated Deaf Awareness month as well as International Sign Language Day, which in our industry, is a big deal. We will talk more about that in this newsletter, including an ?? announcement ?? from The Language Group.

Now October is upon us, and is a month rich with awareness campaigns, each dedicated to important causes. How shall we define Awareness? Awareness means recognizing and understanding issues, which can lead to increased support, funding, and research. By engaging with these campaigns, you contribute to a more informed and compassionate society, making a real difference in the lives of many.

Here are a just a handful of causes this month that you can learn more about, some near and dear to our hearts ?????:

?? TLG announces its ASL Mentorship Program! ??

The Language Group launched a new Mentorship Program in September 2024.

We spoke with our Onsite Department to get the details. Here is the gist:

The purpose of our new Mentorship Program is for ASL interpreters looking to increase their confidence level or gain some additional experience by focusing on specific types of assignments, such as medical. We’re able to offer the mentee the ability to gain more experience in a controlled environment by being paired with one of our mentors on different assignments.

Our mentors are our full time ASL interpreters who are both nationally certified; Jubal Metzger-Smith in the Hampton Roads area and Diana Case-Foster in the Richmond and Tri-Cities area. The mentee will begin the program by observing the mentor on assignments in a variety of settings such as medical, school and community. The goal is for the mentee to eventually interpret when ready, at which time the mentors will provide feedback to the mentee as a learning tool.

We feel the program is offering a much-needed service, as there isn’t another available in the area that offers onsite assignments opportunities. Many young ASL students are sometimes hesitant to begin their interpreting journey, either because they’re not able to meet their internship hours (a requirement for graduation) or because they feel they need additional time observing or learning how to navigate assignments before they feel ready to venture out on their own.

They start by filling out our Mentorship Program Questionnaire which gives the student a chance to let us (and our mentors) know a little about their ASL skills and experiences, as well as what areas they’re looking to improve while participating in the program and what they hope to accomplish. Then we loop in our Credentialing Dept, and they will be guided thru the onboarding process.

Once the onboarding process is completed, we will then start reaching out to them with mentee assignment dates and times, at which time they can decline or accept each assignment, depending on their schedule.?The mentors will provide feedback after each assignment and when it is determined the student is ready to venture out on their own, they can begin to take regular ASL assignments.

We're coordinating with our local Tidewater Community College and the POC for their ASL Program and we've shared the info with all their students. We have plans to reach out to other local colleges with similar ASL Programs as well.

If interested in learning more, reach out to: [email protected]

Meet Jubal!

Step into the shoes of Jubal Metzger-Smith, an experienced interpreter at The Language Group, as he talks about his daily routine and the world of interpretation.?

?? Preparing for the Day Ahead?

Jubal starts his day with a blend of preparation and evaluation of the work ahead. "Every morning, I review my assignments for the day," Jubal explains, "carefully noting the details of each interpreting session. Understanding the context helps me prepare mentally and linguistically." Preparation is essential for?Jubal as he deals with a variety of interpreting situations ranging from medical consultations, legal meetings, or community events.

?? Interpreting Across Cultures and Contexts?

Jubal's role takes him to multiple environments throughout the day. For example, in hospital settings, Jubal notes, "I assist healthcare providers in communicating with Deaf or hard-of-hearing patients, ensuring they understand diagnoses, treatment plans, and medical procedures." Jubal also facilitates communication between lawyers and clients during legal proceedings, making sure to convey legal terminology accurately and impartially.?

?? Navigating Complexity with Precision?

Interpreting isn't simply about communication—it's about bridging cultural gaps and navigating complex situations precisely. For some assignments, such as interpreting personal stories or legal discussions, interpreters are required to follow ethical rules. Jubal emphasizes the importance of maintaining neutrality and confidentiality while ensuring clarity and accuracy in his interpretations.? "It's called Live Code of Professional Conduct, and one of the main tenants is confidentiality," Jubal explains.?

?? Techniques and Technologies?

Jubal's toolkit includes more than linguistic skills. During interpretation, Jubal uses visual cues, body language, and ASL grammatical structures as essential tools during meetings. Collaboration with other interpreters helps him tackle technical scenarios. Technology also supports Jubal with access to an online visual dictionary. Jubal uses this as a resource to help prepare for specific terms or concepts before assignments. "ASL dictionary is an online video dictionary that I can use to type in the word schizophrenia, and it will pull up several examples," Jubal explains.?

? Finding a Balance

Unlike traditional nine-to-five jobs, Jubal's role offers flexibility but demands emotional resilience. Managing downtime between assignments is crucial for recharging and maintaining focus. This balance allows him to deliver consistent and high-quality interpretations throughout the day. Jubal will walk or rest during breaks to recharge and mentally prepare for the following assignments.?

?? Learning and Evolving in the Field?

For Jubal, learning is a continuous process. Feedback from colleagues and clients plays a pivotal role in his work. Colleague feedback is most prominent during assignments where teamwork is involved. Jubal notes, "I would be interpreting for 20 minutes, and then I would look at my team like if maybe I missed something or I wasn't sure, and we'd help each other out." In addition, gaining Professional development opportunities, such as workshops and certifications, helps him stay updated with industry standards and best practices in interpretation.??

?? A Passion for Bridging Worlds?

Jubal Metzger-Smith embodies the dedication and professionalism of interpreters worldwide. His commitment to bridging linguistic and cultural divides is an essential role interpreters must play. We thank you Jubal, and the entire TLG team appreciates you.