TALK about making a business of your hands will prompt few people, if any, to think of sign language interpreting. But there you have it – sign language interpreting is a career option, and an increasingly viable one at that, from all indications.

This is so, given the increased awareness of the needs of the disabled, and the deaf or hearing impaired in particular. There is also the fact there is a real shortage of such interpreters on the island, as evidenced by their absence from television, classrooms islandwide, as well as from a range of other social settings.

This week, ID Ur Career looks to Michelle Montague-Baker, a sign language interpreter who has made a business of her hands, while balancing duties as a guidance counsellor at the Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf.

The Sunday Observer caught up with Montague-Baker as she showed signing as not a career but also as an art at the May 12 staging of the annual Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The competition was put on by Optimist International, Caribbean District.

Who is a sign language interpreter?

The sign language interpreter is a person who conveys another’s spoken message using sign language to express thoughts and ideas, as well as sign language into spoken language (RID 1996).

What is significant about the work that you do?

Sign language interpreting is important because there are very few trained interpreters in Jamaica. Sign Language Interpreting helps to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and the hearing world. It facilitates inclusion and integration of deaf persons into the wider society. This means the deaf can be involved in church, understand his/her rights in court, is able to go the doctors’ office independently, demonstrate for driver’s licences and vote, etc.

Why did you get involved in the field?

I became involved in interpreting while still teaching in the school for the deaf.

As a sign language interpreter, what are some of the opportunities for employment that are open to you?

The need for sign language interpreters are great as interpreters are needed in all parishes to provide service for those who need it. Interpreters are needed in all settings (schools, colleges, universities, hospitals & clinics, police stations and courts, and in the public services agencies). Previously sign language interpreting was viewed as charity work, but it is now being recognised and accepted as a profession.

As a Sign Language interpreter, where have you been employed?

I have been employed to the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) for the past 16 years, and one of my job roles/functions was interpreting for the deaf in all settings. That is, I interpret in courts, at police stations, hospitals, on TV, in Parliament, at local and international conferences, weddings and funerals – just to name a few. I am presently a guidance counsellor at the Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf.

What are the academic requirements for getting into the field?

The University of the West Indies is presently offering a degree course in interpreting sign language. (The requirements to enter include five or more CXCs, O’ levels – including English Language – and two A’levels. Where one does not have the two A’levels, an associate degree or degree in teaching may prove sufficient).

What of your own academic and work background?

I have a teacher’s diploma (Hearing Impairment) Associate of Arts in Interpreting (USA); and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Social Work from the University of the West Indies.

What sorts of earnings are there to be made as a SL interpreter?

The cost for interpreting service varies, depending on the technicality of the setting/assignment. For example, signing a song at church versus interpreting at the Supreme Court. Cost is best negotiated with the interpreter starting at $2,000 per session plus the cost of transportation.

Why would you encourage anyone to get into the field?

It is a new and exciting field, and the possibilities for employment are wide and varied. Sign Language interpreters are also needed in the Caribbean and the USA.