The Reformer printed my letter in the Weekend issue yesterday with an interesting insertion. They deleted "your coverage" and added the words "Associated Press article", apparently to distance themselves from it? The author is unidentified on the website and it seems we've already recycled the paper...
Here's my original text - apparently they posted all the letters EXCEPT for mine from that day!
Dear Editor,
I was disappointed to read the bias in your coverage of the trial requiring the use of sign language interpreters. By presenting non-deaf peopleís experience of adjusting to the cultural differences and linguistic issues involved in interpreting as ìa snarlî, you have privileged the difficulties and challenges instead of the possibilities, opportunities, relationships, connections, and solutions that can be reached when language barriers are bridged. Instead of highlighting the challenges as problematic, this (very sad and unfortunate) situation could be framed and utilized as an incredible educational experience in cultural diversity. While Deaf advocates have engaged in numerous attempts to educate law enforcement and the criminal justice system (among other service providers) about the process of interpreting, sometimes that kind of learning is most effective in ìhands-onî situations. I hope that all those involved will turn their energies toward understanding the complexity of the process and work to facilitate their own, and each otherís, effective participation in it - despite, or perhaps because of the inherently adversarial nature of a trial.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Jo Kent, CI (nationally certified ASL/English interpreter)
Dummerston
