Pro Tips: Migrating to Video Remote Interpreting

The first virtual interpreting assignments were probably those carried out in front of console radios for deaf groups in the 20^th century. The source language was transmitted remotely, and the target audiences located onsite. For example,

	Mary Ayliffe (1878–1966) at a royal address in 1930s Liverpool
	Eva Fowler (1912–1979) and  Eula Pusey (1896–1984) in 1940s Utah for a church conference

Today, thousands of signed language interpreters are scrambling to fill their schedules, and many are flocking to home-based video remote interpreting (VRI) stations, in various states of readiness. Most best practices for general online meetings apply to VRI work, and plenty of worthy advice is available. Also, in-person meeting protocols that benefit everyone, and remove barriers to our best work also apply to on-screen formats.

Of course, deaf people are best positioned to advocate for themselves, and so we must be prepared to represent our own partially-overlapping interests. This is not an exhaustive primer, but here are some considerations to remind your newly-virtual clientele. Please note that I use the word “speaking” to indicate signed and spoken comments, questions, or logistical and administrative remarks:

1. 1. Include the interpreters for advance documents, agendas, and participant lists.
   2. In business settings, wisely decide what is for e-mail, and what needs a meeting.
   3. Plan additional time for technological and communication considerations.
   4. Signal to the chair, and wait to be acknowledged before speaking.
   5. When taking the floor, identify yourself before speaking.
   6. Whether audio or video, make your remarks a bit more slowly and deliberately.
   7. Ensure those using video are framed and lit properly.
   8. Signers, please confirm visual attention of the interpreter before speaking.
   9. Mute your audio when not speaking.
   10. With multiple signers, you may need to mute your video when not speaking.

Now what about you? Again, professional expectations of onsite interpreting still apply to VRI. Also, decades of Video Relay Interpreting (VRS) practice have taught us and the sign language users we work with how to adapt to cameras and 2-dimensional screens. While we might be more exposed to the view of all meeting participants during VRI, we are also freed from additional regulatory restrictions on how we conduct ourselves. Here are some preliminary things to consider:

1. 1. If work is scarce, do take care to accept gigs you can do well, and do right.
   2. Participants’ communication may be scared, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
   3. To others in random environments and clothing, bring calm, visual stability.
   4. Be classy and assertive about what logistics you need beforehand.
   5. Arrive early to advocate for yourself, & gently remind folks during the meeting.
   6. Dress and grooming are heightened when your image is closely cropped.
   7. Yes, you can sip water, move your hair, scratch your nose. But see #6 above.
   8. You need the right setup. Make do until you can get, re-purpose, or DIY it.
   9. You need the right gear. Think of yourself as a YouTuber, and work toward that.
   10. We may impose more “presence” than we are used to for teaming, turn-taking, etc.

Any one of these topics deserves its own post. We’ll get there!