Not
all Deaf consumers communicate using either American Sign Language
(ASL) or English-like signing. Some Deaf consumers come from other
countries and are more familiar with their country's sign language
than with ASL. Others, for a variety of reasons, may communicate in
a more idiosyncratic system of gestures and "home signs".
In these situations, the skills of professionally trained hearing
interpreters may not be sufficient to ensure accurate communication.
If
this is the case, it is customary to contract a team (or teams) of
hearing and Deaf interpreters. The hearing interpreters interpret
between spoken English and ASL. The Deaf interpreters negotiate between
ASL and the communication system of the Deaf consumer.
Deaf
and hearing interpreting teams may be hired to work in any setting including: court, medical settings, conferences,
etc.
