DID YOU KNOW..........


Although professional interpreters appear to function successfully with
impartiality and neutrality in many settings (e.g., classrooms, business
meetings), the therapeutic setting appears to be unique in terms of
greater emotional import.

Studies clearly indicate that an interpreter can influence the
therapeutic process affectively and behaviorally in subtle yet important
ways.

However, rather than viewing the interpreter as an impartial
psychological presence having no effect on the alliance, the therapist
can recognize and become more cognizant of the interpreter as a dynamic
member of a triadic therapeutic process (Halgin & McEntee, 1986; Hoyt,
Siegelman, & Hilde, 1981).

Evidence suggests that interpreters, rather than being "blank slates"
facilitating a dyadic relationship, have a substantial interpersonal
influence.

Neutral/slightly cheerful interpreters may act as a buffer against the
impact of despondent therapists. However, despondent interpreters may
elicit greater dysphoric mood changes in the deaf recipient.

Practicing psychologists need to consider the susceptibility of deaf
clients to the nonverbal mood presentation of sign-language interpreters
and its implications on the therapeutic alliance. By identifying the
individual influences (such as mood states) that have an impact on the
deaf recipient and the nonsigner, the significant role of the
interpreter may be further enhanced. (Julianne Gold Brunson and P.
Scott Lawrence, 2002)