Sunday, February 27, 2011

I teach too!

You are subbing for a college level math class. Your team starts as she is in the class every day. While interpreting, you notice she is adding quite a bit of background information about math. Finally she stops interpreting the teacher's lesson and gives the student a private teaching lesson. Then she turns to you and signs, "I used to be a math teacher. And because I can explain this in a better way, I feel I'm within the bounds of ethical interpreting. After all, the most important thing is for the student to understand the information."

+How do you respond?
+When you are on, do you interpret? Or do you teach?
+Do you tell the agency anything?
+Do you talk to your team?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

My Ex Sucks!

At the end of your assignment your team offers you a ride home. Thankful not to have to wait for public transportation or call someone for a ride, you accept. On the drive home, your team voices her frustration regarding her impending divorce. Her ex-husband is also an interpreter. You're not super good friends with either of them, but are "facebook friends" with both.

Do you:
+smile and nod. You don't want to get in the middle of it.
+readily take her side. She is offering you a ride home.
+tell her you'd rather not know. You may have to work with her ex one day.

+What are the short term ramifications of your decision?
+If you will want a ride from her again but don't want to be drug into her personal saga, how will you avoid the topic of her ex?
+How can you remain supportive but still distanced?