Objective: The aim of this present paper is to highlight some of the issues faced by therapists and sign language interpreters when working with deaf patients.
Conclusions: Key issues include linguistic, interpreting and role challenges, and potential threats to the therapeutic alliance. Recommendations are made in relation to preparation strategies and training for sign language interpreters and therapists.
MeierR PCormierKQuinto-PozosD. Modality and Structure in Signed and Spoken Languages, MeierR PCormierKQuinto-PozosD. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA2002.
2.
LucasC. The Sociolinguistics of Sign Languages, LucasC. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge2001.
3.
Sutton-SpenceRWollB. The linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge1999.
4.
DawkinsJ. Australia's Language: The Australian Language and Literacy Policy. Australian Government Printing Service, Canberra1991.
5.
JohnstonT. Auslan Dictionary: A Dictionary of the Sign Language of the Australian Deaf Community. Deafness Resources Australia, MaryboroughVictoria1989.
6.
BransonJMillerD. Language and identity in the Australian deaf community: Australian Sign Language and language policy. Language and Language Education, LiddicottT. National Languages Institute of Australia, Melbourne1991.
7.
BransonJTomsJBernalBMillerD. The history and role of fingerspelling in Auslan. Sign Language Research 1994, BosH FSchermerG M. Signum, Hamburg1995; 53–68.
8.
JohnstonT J. Spatial syntax and spatial semantics in the inflection of signs for the marking of person and location in Auslan. International Journal of Sign Linguistics1991; 2: 29–62.
9.
JohnstonT. Nouns and verbs in Australian Sign Language: an open and shut case?. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education2001; 6: 235–257.
10.
SchembriA. The Structure and Formation of Signs in Auslan (Australian Sign Language). North Rocks Press, NSW1996, Renwick College Monograph No. 2. North Rocks.
11.
SchembriA. The representation of motion events in signed language and gesture. Progress in Sign Language Research: In Honor of Siegmund Prillwitz, SchulmeisterRReinitzerH. Signum, Hamburg2002; 99–126.
12.
HydeMPowerD. The use of Australian Sign Language by deaf people. Sign Language Studies1992; 75: 167–182.
13.
JohnstonT. W(h)ither the Deaf community? Population, genetics and the future of Auslan (Australian Sign Language). American Annals of the Deaf2003; 148: 358–375.
14.
PrestonP. Mother Father Deaf: Living Between Sound and Silence. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA1994.
15.
BrennanM. The visual world of BSL: an introduction. Dictionary of British Sign Language/English, BrienD. Faber and Faber, London1992; 1–133.
16.
PowerD. Language, Culture and Community: Deaf People and Sign Language in Australia. Centre for Deafness Studies and Research, Griffith University, Brisbane1996, Occasional Paper No. 4.
17.
HarveyM A. Psychotherapy with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons: A Systemic Model. Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ1989.
18.
CorkerM. Counselling – The Deaf Challenge. Jessica Kingsley, London1994.
19.
GlickmanN. The development of culturally deaf identities. Culturally Affirmative Psychotherapy with Deaf Persons, GlickmanN SHarveyM A. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ1996; 115–153.
20.
LeighI W. Psychotherapy with Deaf Clients from Diverse Groups, LeighI W. Gallaudet University Press, Washington, DC1999.
21.
CornesA JWiltshireC J. Still waiting to be heard: deaf children in Australia. Australasian Psychiatry1999; 7: 313–318.
22.
RodriguezE SGuerreroA R. An international perspective: what are ethics for sign language interpreters? A comparative study among different codes of ethics. Journal of Interpretation2002; 49–61.
23.
TateGTurnerG H. The code and the culture: sign language interpreting – in search of the new breed's ethics. Interpreting Interpreting: Studies and Reflections on Sign Language Interpreting, HarringtonF JTurnerG H. Douglas McLean, Gloucestershire2001; 53–66.
24.
PollittK. The state we're in: some thoughts on professionalisation, professionalism and practice among the UK's sign language interpreters. Deaf Worlds1997; 13: 21–26.
25.
RoyC. A sociolinguistic analysis of the interpreter's role in simultaneous talk in a faceto-face interpreted dialogue. Sign Language Studies1992; 74: 21–61.
26.
CokelyD. Interpretation: A Sociolinguistic Model. Linstok Press, Burtonsville1992a.
27.
MindessA. Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters. Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, ME1999.
28.
HarringtonF JTurnerG H. Interpreting Interpreting: Studies and Reflections on Sign Language Interpreting, HarringtonF JTurnerG H. Douglas McLean, Gloucestershire2001.
29.
NapierJ. Sign Language Interpreting: Linguistic Coping Strategies. Douglas McLean, ColefordUK2002.
30.
MaddenM. The incidence and impact of occupational overuse syndrome on sign language interpreters in Australia. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Griffith University. 2001.
31.
OzolinsUBridgeM. Sign Language Interpreting in Australia. Language Australia, Melbourne1999.
32.
RoyC. Interpreting as a Discourse Process. Oxford University Press, Oxford2000.
33.
WadensjöC. Interpreting as Interaction. Longman, London1998.
34.
ClarkKKarlinB. Developing a model training program for mental health interpreters. Proceedings of the First World Conference on Mental Health and Deafness, October 22–24, BrauerBMarcusAMortonD. Gallaudet University, Washington, DC1998, (on-line). Available at: http://mhdeafintl.gallaudet.edu/proceedings1/proc1toc.htm. Retrieved 30 March 2004.
35.
AngelleliC. The visible co-participant: the interpreter's role in doctor–patient encounters. From Topic Boundaries to Omission: New Research on Interpretation, MetzgerM. Gallaudet University Press, Washington, DC2003; 3–26.
36.
WhitworthASjardinH. The bilingual person with aphasia: the Australian context. Living with Aphasia: Psychosocial Issues, LafondDJoanetteYPonzioJDevigiovaniRTaylorS M. Singular Publishing Group, San Diego1993; 130–149.
37.
MetzgerM. Sign Language Interpreting: Deconstructing the Myth of Neutrality. Gallaudet University Press, Washington, DC1999.
38.
SanheimL M. Turn exchange in an interpreted medical encounter. From Topic Boundaries to Omission: New Research on Interpretation, MetzgerM. Gallaudet University Press, Washington, DC2003; 27–54.
39.
BotH. The myth of the uninvolved interpreter interpreting in mental health and the development of a three-person psychology. The Critical Link 3: Interpreters in the Community, BrunetteLBastinGHemlinIClarkeH. John Benjamins, Amsterdam2003; 27–36.
40.
WadensjöC. Interpreting in crisis: the interpreter's position in therapeutic encounters. Triadic Exchanges: Studies in Dialogue Interpreting, MasonI. St Jerome, Manchester2001; 71–86.
41.
HarveyM. The influence and utilization of an interpreter for deaf persons in family therapy. American Annals of the Deaf1982; 27: 821–827.
42.
McCayVMillerK. Interpreting in mental health settings: issues and concerns. American Annals of the Deaf2001; 146: 429–434.
43.
TurnerJKleinHKitsonN. Interpreters in mental health settings. Mental Health and Deafness, HindleyPKitsonN. Whurr, London1998; 297–310.
44.
NapierJCornesA J. The dynamic roles of interpreters and therapists. Deafness in Mind: Working Psychologically with Deaf People Through the Lifespan, AustenSCrockerS. Whurr, London2004; 161–179.
45.
GlickmanNGulatiS. Mental Health Care of Deaf People: A Culturally Affirmative Approach. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ2003.
46.
GutmanV. Ethics in Mental Health and Deafness, GutmanV. Gallaudet University Press, Washington, DC2002.
47.
HindleyPKitsonN. Mental Health and Deafness, HindleyPKitsonN. Whurr, London1998.
48.
PorterA. Sign language interpretation in psychotherapy with deaf patients. American Journal of Psychotherapy1999; 53: 163–176.
49.
WilsonE M. Needs of deaf people in counselling: experiences of clients and counselors. Deaf Worlds1996; 12: 2–10.
50.
CromwellJ. Considering the use of sign language interpreters in therapy. Proceedings of the First World Conference on Mental Health and Deafness, October 22–24, BrauerBMarcusAMortonD. Gallaudet University, Washington, DC1998, (on-line). Available at: http://mhdeafintl.gallaudet.edu/proceedings1/proc1toc.htm. Retrieved 30 March 2004.
51.
British Society for Mental Health and Deafness. Sign Language in Mental Health. BSMHD, London1997.
52.
HarveyM A. Toward a dialogue between the paradigms of family therapy and deafness. American Annals of the Deaf1985; 130: 305–314.
53.
HorvathA OSymondsB D. Relation between working alliance and outcome in psychotherapy: a meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology1991; 38: 139–149.
54.
LambertM J. Psychotherapy outcome research. Handbook of Psychotherapy Integration, NorcrossJ CGoldfriedM R. Basic Books, New York1992; 94–129.
55.
KrupnickJ LSotskyS MSimmensS. The role of the therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy outcome: findings in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology1996; 64: 532–539.
56.
ConnorsG JCarrollK MDiClementeC CLongabaughRDonovanD M. The therapeutic alliance and its relationship to alcoholism treatment participation and outcome. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology1997; 565: 588–598.
57.
BordinE S. Theory and research on the therapeutic working alliance: new directions. The Working Alliance: Theory, Research, and Practice, HorvathA OGreenbergL. Wiley, New York1994; 13–37.
58.
LuborskyL. Therapeutic alliances as predictors of psychotherapy outcomes: factors explaining the predictive success. The Working Alliance: Theory, Research, and Practice, HorvathA OGreenbergL. Wiley, New York1994.
59.
VilleneuveS. The forces at work in a psychotherapeutic relationship that involves interpretation. The Critical Link: a journal dedicated to interpreting in the social, healthcare and legal sectors2004; 2: 14–20.
60.
DuffyKVeltriD. Working with interpreters in the mental health setting. Proceedings of the First World Conference on Mental Health and Deafness, October 22–24, BrauerBMarcusAMortonD. Gallaudet University, Washington, DC1998, (on-line). Available at: http://mhdeafintl.gallaudet.edu/proceedings1/proc1toc.htm. Retrieved 30 March 2004.
