Communicate With a Deaf Person Through an Interpreter
Perhaps you are arranging a meeting with a deaf person and would like to communicate with them through an interpreter or you are giving a presentation where a deaf person will be present, with an interpreter. Communicating with a deaf person through a sign language interpreter may feel awkward at first, but if you keep a few simple etiquette tools in mind, you can minimize the communication barrier. 1. Creating a Positive Atmosphere for the Conversation a. Talk with the interpreter before the conversation, if possible. If you know you are going to have a conversation or meeting in a professional setting where the deaf person and the interpreter will be present, try to meet with the interpreter few minutes before the meeting or the day before the meeting. You can then let the interpreter know how long the meeting will be and what topics will be discussed. This will allow the interpreter to prepare for the meeting and get a better sense of what she will be signing...