Recently I have been sitting back and looking at who I am as an Interpreter and what I want my business to look like. These are super hard questions. Like really who the heck are we anyway? I exist in a world with two perspectives simultaneously existing in one world. I have access to both worlds via language and connections.
So therefor HOW do I define myself within these communities. I am a hearing Interpreter providing access to communication. I am hearing and yet, I have access to a whole world with a different and distinct culture, language, rules, and pleasantries.
I want to be the invisible interpreter. I want my work to be so seamless that I am not seen. I want to emote as the consumers emote, stutter or yell like they do, keep pace and mannerisms as close to the source as possible.
I want my business to reflect the CPC put forth by RID. I want to work with Interpreters who cherish the work we do, respect the consumers that use our services, and work hard to provide their best every day. I want Heartsong Interpreting to develop trust within the Deaf community, and a reputation to stand on in the hearing communities. Heartsong Interpreting will always have a soulful connection to Performance interpreting. Our interpreters strive to provide equal access to all of the music, plays, conferences, or festivals. I want Heartsong Interpreting to be a safe place for Interpreters to come, discuss ways to improve and eliminate or navigate the frustrations of the profession. Maybe most important, I want Heartsong Interpreting to be a place for continued education specifically connected to performance Interpreting. I want to provide mentoring and shadowing opportunities to the up and coming interpreters in the hopes that they have a strong base on which to grow.
Now it is time for us to grow, learn, reach out and keep moving forward.
Keep your hands up and your heart open.
Kyla
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