Chapter 3: Effective Interpreting Teams

Chapter 3

An effective interpreting Team

Teams can be quite effective what are some features of teaming that are essential to effective team interpret(under a collaborative and interdependent view of team interpreting)? An effective team is to first assume that the other interpreter knows how to be a monitor or fee information and to provide support and feedback. Also as an interpreter to know how to accept that feed and take that without getting defensive.

Teams can also not work well. What are some features that can impede an interpreting team’s ability to work successfully together? If you are offended from the other interpreters feed. If you are not willing to work with different types of certifications. If you are not prepared for the job. If your skills are not ready for the assignment. If one is big headed and thinks they are better than the other. There are much more.

Think of an interpreter with whom you would ideally prefer to team interpret. What are the characteristics of this interpreter? I want someone that is hard working. This interpreter has worked long hours and has experienced. Since I am a new interpreter I want someone that knows what is going on. I don’t want someone to judge me by my skills. I want them to be nice and kind and support me. Feeding is important or correcting me. Being bold and working with me. Someone that is forgiving and is friendly.

Thought Questions 3.1

An effective interpreting Team

Of the four features of an effective team discussed above personal characteristics/skills, philosophy/scheme, relationship communication, and commitment/trust-which two are the most important? The most important to me in communication. Talking about the responsibilities of the job. Being opens about your skills and what you expect from the assignment.

If you had to work with an interpreter who has only three of the four features and you could choose which one they did not have, which one could you do without? Philosophy and Schema I can teach someone skills and signs about a topic. I can’t change their attitude and personality.

These features seem to imply that team interpreting involves not only professional relationship (in terms of skills and philosophy) but to some degree a personal relationship (in terms of relationships and trust). Do you believe that a teaming relationship has both professional and personal aspect to it, or not? I think both. I think definitely must have a professional relationship. It does make the job easier if you can have a personal relationship with them and can connect with them. That’s lastly tho. The job is not to be best friends with the other interpreter at the assignment. Yes, it is fun but it’s not a necessary need.

Thought Questions 3.3

Selecting a team interpreter

Review the characteristics of an “ideal team interpreter” you wrote for thought questions 3.1/ Before reading the next section, determine if you would like to add any characteristics to your list or delete any. I would add time. Arriving on time so that we have time to discuss what’s going to happen. If you are late there is no time to discuss and help each other. I think this is key.

Maintaining a good relationship is mentioned in the survey as a major feature of effective team interpreting. What are the two key components of a good working relationship, and what are two barriers to a good working relationship? A good relationship is an open communication so there are no surprises. I Think owning up to your skills and how you work as a team is so important as well. I think not working in a good relationship is not trusting each other and also egos. Egos can start the relationship off bad and the job possibly could not be interpreted correctly.

Good communication is mentioned the most often in the survey as a feature of effective team interpreting. What are two key components of effective communication and what are two barriers to effective communication? The commitment and trust in each other. Talking about your weaknesses and strengths. Asking for feedback and for help. These things you need to let your team know about so they can be more effective.

A team interpreters personal characteristics/skills and philosophy/ scheme are mentioned the last in the survey as features of effective team interpreting. Do you agree with this ranking? Yes, Not everyone one was raised or learn the same way. Everyone has interest and learns in something else. Someone possibly got their degree in something way different than you. That doesn’t matter. What matters is working together and communicating with each other.

Thought Questions 3.4

Further exploring effective interpreting teams.

The survey respondents mentioned PHILOSOPHY/SHEMA the least of the four features of an effective team. Name two assumptions that teams may have regarding philosophy/scheme when they interpret with someone new and identify two areas related to philosophy/scheme that the team would benefit discussing before interpreting together. That someone doesn’t know the language such as ASL/ENGLISH. Someone is not aware of simple everyday skills. Also, ego plays back into this. If someone thinks they are super smart and know everything about the world. This doesn’t matter what matters is getting along with the team and communicating with each other. Shema means they know everything and have the good experience. Yes, this is important for the interpreting part but not for the teaming aspect.

The personal characteristics of each interpreter are important for an effective interpreting team. What personal characteristics do you bring to the team that can help the team’s work, and what personal characteristics do you want to be aware of that man lessen your ability to work as a team? I want to to be more aware of being opening and respectful. I sometimes get nervous of really amazing interpreters. I want to be open with them and say I haven’t been interpreting that long please help me out and give me feedback. I would really appreciate that. I really am open and I am a respectful person. I think I have a lot of professional skills that is easy to work with. I also am very flexible in a change of assignment. I always arrive 15 minutes early. I want to do the best work I can and I won’t give up. I am focused and committed to this profession.

Write down specific ways in which team interpreters can increase their trust in each other. Be sure to include specific ways in which team interpreters you have worked with build your trust. Communication is important. Talk about your weakness and strengths. Talk about your past experiences with the job you both are involved with. Let them know your skills and ask for feedback. Tell them what skills are hard. Such as numbers or fingerspelling. Talking opening about think that you are concerned about will build trust and help the team process go better.