Abstract
This study investigates cultural competence in the field of signed language interpreting and the persistence of African American/Black signed language interpreters in the field. To date, no research in the discipline of signed language interpreting studies has looked at how the cultural competence of practitioners impacts colleague dynamics, nor has there been identification of how cultural competence impacts interpreters’ persistence in the field. Data for this study were collected over a period of several months utilizing ethnographic research methods. Face-to-face focus groups, a large-scale questionnaire, and follow up interviews were conducted. A search of the literature revealed that while a lack of cultural competence does impact colleague dynamics and the provision of services within the field, the larger issue may be the African American/Black interpreter’s lack of social capital. This study found that African American/Black interpreters regularly experience subtle instances of racism directed toward them from consumers and colleagues. In large part, African American/Black interpreters view their White interpreting colleagues and educators to be lacking in cultural competence. This places an added psychological burden on the African American/Black interpreter that impacts their social capital and the effort they must expend in order to connect with their peers. The result may be burnout and the desire to change careers. To increase the culturally competent provision of services and improve colleague dynamics within the field, African American/Black Deaf consumers and African American/Black interpreters alike desire recruitment of interpreters from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Exit Requirement
Thesis
Date of Award
Winter 3-2-2015
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies
Committee Chair
Elisa Maroney
Committee Member
Emily Plec
Committee Member
Jeremy Brunson
Keywords
African American/Black, Cultural Competence, Social Capital, Aversive Racism, Signed Language Interpreting, Critical Mass, Interpreter
Language
eng
Type (DCMI Terms)
Text
Subject Categories
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching | African American Studies | Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Critical and Cultural Studies | Curriculum and Instruction | Ethnic Studies | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | International and Intercultural Communication | Interpersonal and Small Group Communication | Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies | Social Influence and Political Communication
Recommended Citation
West Oyedele, Erica, "Persistence of African-American/Black Signed Language Interpreters in the United States: The Importance of Culture and Capital" (2015). Master's of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Theses. 19.
https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/theses/19
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Rights Statement URL
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Additional Files
PDF-A Persistence of African-American_Black Signed Language Interpreter.pdf (2174 kB)PDF/A Version
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching Commons, African American Studies Commons, Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
Rights Statement
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