Stolen Spotlights

You’ve seen the viral clips: ASL interpreters signing at concerts, rallies, comedy clubs, and other big events. They’re animated, expressive, and captivating to watch. And honestly, it’s great to see more visibility for sign language and interpreters—after all, we need more accessibility like this.

It's what happens after the event: the media swarms to interview the interpreter, asking them all about their experience, how it felt to be on stage, and their thoughts on the crowd. Meanwhile, the Deaf attendees—the very people these interpreters are there to accommodate—are left in the background, unheard and unseen. It’s like the media is so fascinated by the novelty of sign language that they forget the Deaf community is right there, experiencing the event firsthand.

And it doesn’t stop there...

Strangers often approach interpreters (in the middle of the job) with comments like, “Your signing was so beautiful!” or “You did such a great job!” But here’s the thing: if you don’t sign, how would you even know? It's like praising someone for a great speech when you don't understand the language they’re speaking.

So, here’s the real question: Why aren’t we asking Deaf attendees how they enjoyed the event? Why is the focus always on the interpreters rather than the people they're there to support?

It’s time to shift the spotlight where it truly belongs.

The ASL Interpreters Job

The role of the sign language interpreter is to provide both hearing and Deaf people with equal access to information and interactions.

Achieving this requires a wide range of skills and abilities. Interpreters must have a high level of fluency in English and ASL a keen ability to focus on what is being said, broad-based world knowledge, and exhibit professional and ethical conduct. They may also facilitate cultural misunderstandings between the hearing and Deaf.

ASL interpreters are not caretakers, proxies, or spokespeople for the Deaf community. They're there to facilitate communication, not to guide, protect, or speak on behalf of Deaf individuals.

Their role is strictly to bridge the gap between spoken and signed languages.

The Public's Obsession on Interpreters

If you’ve ever seen an interpreter like Holly Maniatty rocking out at a hip-hop concert or Amber Galloway Gallego making lyrics come to life with her expressive signing, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Take, for instance, Mandy Harvey’s concert interpreter, who became a sensation overnight. But here's the twist: Mandy Harvey herself is Deaf. She lost her hearing at age 18 and sings through muscle memory and visual training—a skill that takes immense dedication and hard work. Yet, despite all the effort Mandy puts into her performance, the audience often finds themselves drawn to the passionate, animated signs of the interpreter, shifting the spotlight away from the artist herself.

It's not just about concerts, either. There are countless clips of interpreters at events like comedy shows. They are seen passionately signing jokes and punchlines, with audiences howling at the interpreters' facial expressions and comedic timing. One unforgettable moment was an interpreter at Kevin Hart’s show, who became the highlight of the night because of her animated delivery. Some comedians even go off-script, throwing in explicit words just to see how the interpreter signs them.

Interpreters are paid to provide a service, while Deaf attendees pay to experience the event.

The focus should really be on accessibility and normalizing their presence everywhere.

The Real Impact

When the media focuses on ASL interpreters instead of Deaf attendees, it does more than just shift the spotlight—it reinforces harmful stereotypes and limits authentic representation.

By centering interpreters, the narrative becomes about the “performative” aspect of sign language, rather than the lived experiences of Deaf individuals. This approach treats Deaf people as passive spectators in their own spaces, rather than as active participants with valuable insights to share.

It also perpetuates the misconception that interpreters are somehow the voices of the Deaf community, when in reality, they are just interpreting languages.

Deaf people have active, independent lives with jobs, families, hobbies, lifestyles, with much to contribute to society .

You should learn about us not our interpreters.

Let's Shift the Focus

It's time to shift the focus back to the Deaf community. Media outlets and the public eye should prioritize Deaf attendees and speakers, giving them a platform to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

By centering Deaf voices, we can challenge stereotypes, promote understanding, and improve accessibility options.

The Deaf perspective can offer unique insights into visual-spatial reasoning and problem-solving that often go unnoticed by hearing individuals. Growing up in a world primarily experienced through visual cues, Deaf individuals develop heightened spatial awareness and the ability to quickly process complex visual information.

By tapping into the unique cognitive strengths of the Deaf community, we can unlock new possibilities and solutions that the rest of the world has overlooked.

The Deaf community has come a long way from the days of forced institutionalization. It's time to start acting like it.

How the Public & the Media can do Better

To foster a more inclusive and equitable society, the public and media must actively work to understand and respect the Deaf community. By implementing the following strategies, we can promote greater awareness, empathy, and acceptance:

For the Public:

• Educate Yourself: Learn about Deaf culture, history, and communication.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Question and dispel harmful stereotypes about Deaf people.
• Support Deaf-Owned Businesses: Shop at businesses owned by Deaf individuals to boost the Deaf economy.
• Advocate for Accessibility: Encourage businesses and organizations to adopt accessible practices.

For the Media:

• Prioritize Deaf Voices: Interview Deaf individuals directly and give them a platform to share their stories.
• Collaborate with Deaf Consultants: Seek input from Deaf experts to ensure accurate and sensitive representation.
• Use Interpreters as a Tool, Not a Focus: Employ interpreters to facilitate communication, not to dominate the narrative.
• Provide Captioning and Transcripts: Make media content accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
• Learn the Terminology: Educate yourselves on the proper terminology, Deaf culture, communication methods, and accessibility options.

By taking these steps, we can normalize the Deaf experiences and see them as equals.

Final Thoughts

By prioritizing Deaf voices and shifting the focus away from interpreters, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable media landscape.

Let's work together to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the rich diversity of the Deaf community.

Interpreters are for our access, not for your entertainment.