Intern in Southern Oregon -- Interpreter Program Message Board

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Subject: Intern in Southern Oregon

Author:
Rory

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Date Posted: 19:47:06 04/16/03 Wed

Wow. People talk about rural areas and say how awful the situation is or how little support you get. Well listen up peeps! It's not at all like that. They have tremendous flexibility - the programs know nothing or very little - thus they tend to believe you. That or they are run by the ESD like my program and those people know their stuff at least down here...they have workshops, testing, etc. Not only that but the program I am interning in every class that might MIGHT!!! have lectures or extended periods where the interpreter is active is team interpreted. Sometimes there is even an extra interpreter. Plus my mentor who uses interpreters himself has a much better grasp on interpreting and educational settings that I ever got from any of those books or lectures - those "experts" are clueless. Especially regarding the interpreter's role. I would be a waste - worthless - unable to do my job if I didn't ignore......well some less than realistic descriptions of that role.

I really dig the interpreters I work with too. Some are lousy but they work at their skills. The worst thing I can think of that happens to the rural interpreter is that when they "go up north" or to another area with a greater interpreter base is they get looked down on or pittied. "Oh you're from a rural area..." That interpreter who's told that is not quiet because they are a poor rural interpreter - they are quiet because they are steaming inside. Due to some really off base people at some unnamed workshops several interpreters I met here became dissatisfied with such experiences. Instead they run their own workshops. Hell - I was told by tons of people that there were hardly any deaf people down in S. Oregon cause allt he services were in calif or n. oregon. Down here I have met a thriving mobile deaf community - strongly independent to boot. So what - they drive an hour to have a party - so does everyone else around here. in Medford itself I have been told there are about 200-300 deaf people. Pretty impressive for a 'rural' area.

Sorry I am behaving so pissily but if you heard the stories and the accomplishments of this community and what they have had to deal with from people who "know better" you would be a little pissy at the missdiagnosis. Even K-falls has an excellent program - the students and staff of the ESD down here band together really well and pull off some amazing stuff. The brain bowl team they put together a year ago placed 4th at Gaulladet! Two students are going to school there and a few other are going to NTID and that other school in NY (can't remember the name) (Hey Suz - if you get one student in a class ever (not names but) just stay away from their drink or anything else - they a major klutz)

The kids are great too. I am getting to experience everything from really high level kids to kids with multiple special needs. really a kick.

Sorry about the diatribe - just want to warn you to treat rural terps w' respect - some of them are more professional than the terps up north. That and they really know some stuff and deal with things no population dense interpreter ever has to think about.

What I found really interesting was RID and the rural area so far. RID has nothing to offer. If RID really plans to promote the profession they need to fund some research into rural interpreters 'cause they aren't just the school terp - they interpret in the community at large.

I know some of my fellow classmates are interpreter period. I plan on going for my MA and maybe my PHD in comparative education - I think I might look into doing some research into rural american interpreters to interpreting that happens in poor or developing countries connected to education. I really think the results would be interesting.

Anyways - I am having a blast and I hope everyone else is doing great. Does anyone have a suggestion as to a fun city to work in for a year after the summer? I am taking the year off to just work while applying for grad. school.

Blah blah - I really talk too much - love you all

Rory

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