Attitudes of American Deaf Leaders toward Sign Language Interpreters

Sign language interpreting is one of the primary support services for deaf people. This study presentation is based on American deaf leaders' cumulative response to Forestal's national attitude survey in 2000. Approximately 400 deaf leaders completed a demographic questionnaire including items related to their experiences with interpreters. Older leaders were inclined to show gratitude and appreciation for interpreters whereas younger leaders possessed a strong tendency to criticize or complain about interpreters. Age education and frequency of use of interpreters were personal characteristics of deaf leaders in relation to attitudes whereas negative experiences and satisfaction with interpreters were experiential characteristics based on their direct relation to the interpreting interaction. Relevant questions may be as follows: Is mainstream education a factor for the shift of attitudes? Why is interpreter competency important? How can the quality of interpreting improve for the dual benefit of American deaf people and the interpreting profession?