NIC Cultural & Linguistic Competency 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Deaf client uses a regional sign dialect that differs from ASL. What should the interpreter do?
- Interpret only standard ASL and ask the client to adapt
- Recognize and adapt to the client's language variety to ensure comprehension (Correct answer)
- Request a different interpreter who knows the regional dialect
- Inform the hiring party that interpretation is not possible
Correct answer: Recognize and adapt to the client's language variety to ensure comprehension
Competent interpreters adapt to the language variety used by the consumer to ensure effective communication.
Question 2: Which concept describes the phenomenon where a bilingual person unconsciously blends features of two languages?
- Code-switching
- Diglossia
- Language interference (Correct answer)
- Transliteration
Correct answer: Language interference
Language interference (also called transfer) occurs when features of one language unintentionally influence production in another.
Question 3: During a medical appointment, a Deaf patient refuses to look at the interpreter. What is the culturally appropriate response?
- Stop interpreting until eye contact is established
- Continue interpreting; gaze behavior varies across Deaf individuals and settings (Correct answer)
- Explain to the doctor that the patient is being uncooperative
- Request that the patient's family mediate the interaction
Correct answer: Continue interpreting; gaze behavior varies across Deaf individuals and settings
Gaze and attention behaviors vary among Deaf individuals, and interpreters should continue their work without imposing cultural norms.
Question 4: The NIC Code of Professional Conduct requires interpreters to render the message faithfully. This means:
- Translating word-for-word regardless of meaning
- Conveying the meaning, intent, and spirit of the source message (Correct answer)
- Adding cultural explanations to every message
- Simplifying complex messages for easier understanding
Correct answer: Conveying the meaning, intent, and spirit of the source message
Faithful interpretation preserves meaning, intent, and spirit rather than producing a literal word-for-word rendering.
Question 5: A hearing speaker uses sarcasm. How should the interpreter handle this in ASL?
- Omit the sarcasm to avoid confusion
- Interpret the literal words only
- Convey the sarcastic intent using appropriate ASL non-manual markers and facial expression (Correct answer)
- Ask the speaker to rephrase without sarcasm
Correct answer: Convey the sarcastic intent using appropriate ASL non-manual markers and facial expression
ASL conveys sarcasm through non-manual markers and facial grammar, and the interpreter must use these features to preserve the speaker's intent.
Question 6: What does 'linguistic register' refer to in interpreter training?
- The speed at which a message is delivered
- The variation in language style based on context, relationship, and formality (Correct answer)
- The vocabulary size of the interpreter
- The grammatical accuracy of the target language
Correct answer: The variation in language style based on context, relationship, and formality
Linguistic register is the adaptation of language style—formal, informal, technical—based on the social context and participants.
Question 7: A DeafBlind consumer uses Pro-Tactile ASL. Which interpreter behavior is most appropriate?
- Use standard ASL and rely on the consumer to adapt
- Acquire knowledge of Pro-Tactile conventions and adjust interpreting approach accordingly (Correct answer)
- Decline the assignment and refer to a specialist only if none is available
- Provide only fingerspelling to avoid errors
Correct answer: Acquire knowledge of Pro-Tactile conventions and adjust interpreting approach accordingly
Competent interpreters develop or seek knowledge of specialized communication systems used by DeafBlind consumers.
NIC Cultural & Linguistic Competency 2
A Deaf client uses a regional sign dialect that differs from ASL.
What should the interpreter do?