“The Flexibility in Freelancing”

“The Flexibility in Freelancing”

“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.”

Nelson Mandela

“How Does One Become a Freelance Interpreter?” is a loaded question. In order to become a Freelance Interpreter, clearly one must have completed some sort of formal training and taken one of several test required by each individual state to become an Interpreter. There are a few test and or evaluation diagnostic tools out there such as a state Quality Assurance (QA) test or the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) exam or the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exam and in some cases State Licenses in addition. Becoming a Freelance Interpreter clearly is a personal choice. After a dedicated study and successful passing of one of the tests for the profession, and countless workshops, (not to mention “baptism by fire” in the “community”) one arrives to what fits their lifestyle at the time. We have all heard it said, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”. I am a firm believer that all of our needs are met when we are in the right place at the right time and when we are open and honest to identifying and prioritizing our most pressing needs. The process is not easy and requires work and attention. A person will know when and if the time is right to become a Freelancer.

A freelancer can make an honest living if assignments are available in their area. Freelancers obtain assignments primarily via agencies that fulfill a need with a particular discipline, such as medical, legal, educational or a specific community. These agencies can be local or national. In the current world, it is possible to provide services for an agency and never set foot inside of the brick and mortar location. Assignments and deals are sealed via an electronic handshake. Often these assignments are parlayed into additional opportunities for Freelancers, especially when professionalism is the top priority… trust automatically ensues.

There are a variety of benefits associated with being a freelancer. Freelancers enjoy the benefits of independence and flexibility as well as the unending expanse of variety. The freelancer builds an expansive repertoire of experiences with a caveat of vocabulary which is invaluable and can never be seized by anyone. This sort of intellectual property is something that all interpreters should seek to increase marketability.

The pros and cons are equally balanced when working with an agency. I tend to take the optimistic path. Advantages and Disadvantages are in the hands of the beholder and the beholder’s personal perspective on what is important. One of the pros is all of the pre-conference information and negotiations are supplied and set for you. One of the cons is the freelancer receives a percentage of the gross profits and must master the discipline of personal accounting for income tax purposes as well as paying for your own insurances. These are only a few to consider when thinking of becoming a freelancer.

Freelancers can also take full advantage of maintaining and managing quality time with their respective loved ones as well as making time for recreational activities. After all, freelancing is a business and should be treated as such.

Freelancers become successful and crafty at managing their respective budgets during the lean times. The key is cultivating and maintaining successful relationships. For example, smart long-term freelance K-12 educational interpreters learn to take advantage of the summer months with such things as tutoring, theme park interpreting, teaching ASL at summer camps (if qualified), and the like.

In summary, freelancers have the ability of creating their own way and carving their own niche in the marketplace. Ultimately, you become your own brand and have the luxury of creating a demand for your services by remaining open and teachable while keeping your hands clean…(pun intended).

This Blog Written by Franklin Eaves for IIDS

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Matthew 7:1-3

For many years, church interpreters were not recognized by the interpreting community as professionals. Many of those who interpreted in a church setting were children of deaf adults (CODA) or those who were fascinated with the language without any formal training. Some of the signers would only sign the music portion of a religious service and many signed to a hearing audience.

As American Sign Language (ASL) evolved over the last 50 years as a profession, Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs) have popped up across the country offering those who desire training the opportunity to attend and receive training on the linguistics of ASL and the culture of the Deaf. In addition to ITPs being offered at local community colleges and universities, trained facilitators who have mastered specific skills have offered workshops and seminars in an effort to share their knowledge with individuals interested in learning the language and culture.

The reason the stigma was assigned to church interpreters years ago is because many church interpreters never took advantage of the opportunities to excel and advance in the language. While workshops and training were being offered at minimal to no cost, many church interpreters passed on the opportunity to attend. To many, learning the craft before attempting to minister using it was not a priority. As a result, many oppressed the Deaf community by not properly explaining the Word of Truth.

Sadly, today, many church interpreters still won’t take advantage of the opportunities for growth through ITPs, workshops, or conferences. Many have become set in their ways and have no desire to pursue excellence. International Institute of Deaf Services (IIDS) has even offered complimentary registration for a few of our conferences to more than 18 individuals, and of these 18 only one or two have attended.

This plight is not true for all church interpreters. There are many interpreting in a church setting who are professional, whether working in the secular setting or not. Many recognize the importance of understanding the language and the culture in order to minister effectively. They understand the importance of meeting the needs of the Deaf community by understanding those needs, respecting their language, and being involved in their culture. These interpreters realize that the only difference between “interpreting” in a secular setting and a religious setting is the vocabulary. The processes for message delivery from the source language into the target language are the same. In fact, those who interpret in a religious setting should not only be expected to meet the standards set by the interpreting profession, they should exceed those standards.

As a church interpreter, I have also served as an educational interpreter, a platform interpreter, a free-lance interpreter, and an ASL 1 instructor. The notion that I’m not professional just because I interpret in a religious setting is ludicrous to me. The principles I use in a secular setting are also used when I interpret in church. In fact, an in-depth knowledge of the Word of God is required in addition to all of the ASL rules for effective ministry.

It is my hope that those who pass judgment would evaluate each church interpreter by the merits they possess instead of stereotyping or grouping all church interpreters into a category labeled as ineffective or unimportant. In fact, I wish those who label any interpreter would first look into a mirror.

“A 21^st Century Deaf Ministry –From a Biblical Perspective-” is available in in paper back and electronic copies. The workbook supporting the text is only available in paperback.  To order your copy, please click on the following link:

Paperback:  http://www.iids-inc.org/htmls/products.htm#NewBook

E-Book:  http://www.amazon.com/Century-Ministry-Biblical-Perspective--ebook/dp/B007RIZG6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337641244&sr=8-1