Proud to be PAIDE Sign Language Interpreters

By: Nemz H. Abiday

Some people think that learning the language of the Deaf or learning to use sign language is such a fascinating and unique skill to venture to. Many are attracted to the use of hand signs and the graceful hand movements they see. But there is more to sign language interpreting than what the eyes can perceive. To others, learning to sign or interpret is a kind of art but to others it has a purpose and meaning. The necessities of someone to learn to sign and interpret are as important as the need to communicate, to comprehend and to connect with another individual; a deaf or hearing impaired individual.

Last December 13, 2008; four brave souls have conquered their fears and have successfully finished a complete program for a Sign Language Interpreting course at PAIDE.  These people came to PAIDE to study sign language out of their own personal needs and aspirations. I have been a part of their journey in this endeavor being their trainer for two consecutive seasons (the Preparatory to Interpreting –Level 4 and the Practicum –Level 5).  They spent and used their time and potential to the fullest and worked even harder up to the last leg of their course. I have observed how they progress in their skills and work, the bonding, the closeness and the growth of friendship.  I have seen in them the attitude of a sincere and dedicated sign language interpreter.  Here they are:

ROSALYNN I. GARCIA

Lynn is a mother to two girls of which one is a hearing impaired.  Aside from spending some time to relax in a spa and do some writings while at Starbucks, she is a practicing Christian not letting a Sunday pass without taking her girls to church. Lynn is a full-time teacher-Sign Language Interpreter of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Training Department at The Nova Foundation for Differently Abled Persons, Inc. She also is taking up online study with Microsoft Philippines. For her, the deaf are no different from the hearing people except their incapacity to hear. But what made her decide to learn the language of the deaf? At first, it was merely curiosity for her but when she became involved into the deaf community, she saw the need. The different situations of the deaf, the kind of education they are getting, the uncertainty of their future, among others; these things have led her to her aspiration to learn and complete the training in sign language. “It's an achievement! I believe that sign language training, more than accepting a challenge, is really about “service”, a service that required me to think outside-the-box and to make some sacrifices in my personal life.” The interactions she had with the deaf especially during her practicum period served as a wake-up call for her, a realization of the greatest need of the Deaf that is learning the written language: Reading and Writing. Helping the Deaf community as well as PAIDE is one of her priorities now. Among them are to stay connected and to make herself available as much as possible to the activities of PAIDE; financial support included, help promote and make the public aware of its programs and services and to source out sponsorships for all the activities in stored. But above all, she is looking forward to have a learning center of her own, to teach the deaf the written language: Reading and Writing and Values formation.

ANTHONY L. ALBAY

Anthony or 2-nhee is a practicing teacher for 6 years now at the Lagro High School. He enrolled at PAIDE through the help of some interpreters who also are teachers at his school. He decided to learn sign language because of his older brother who is deaf and for his family too.  The need for him learn to communicate well with his brother was intense. He also has the desire to serve deaf people in the near future through sign language interpreting or teaching them in school. For him, deaf individuals or differently-abled individuals can also do what able persons can do and they even become more effective and efficient workers. Sometimes, they also are more creative and skilled. His experiences in communicating and dealing with the deaf during the practicum period were not enough for him to learn because the time engaged with them was too limited. Moreover, finishing a sign language course for him is a DREAM come TRUE and that he is PROUD to be a part of a prestigious institution, PAIDE. He now feels confident to serve the deaf people. Aside from teaching,  having  a mass Interpreting every 4^th Sunday at San Lorenzo Ruiz  Parish in San Jose Bulacan and tutorial service to a deaf, mute and blind boy named Luigi Legaspi make him busy and occupied these days. He is very much willing to extend his services and time to the deaf and to attend seminars and workshops in sign language interpreting that would help him grow as a complete individual.

PRISCILLA S. ROXAS

Elma is a librarian at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). She likes dancing, singing, cooking, reading and going to other places for a hobby. Most of all she likes and loves to be a mother to her three children of which one them is deaf. The need to communicate and understand her growing daughter drove her to take a sign language course at PAIDE. She knows that the deaf are very sensitive to their environment. They feel insecure if they can't comprehend what people around them are talking about or if they cannot communicate back. Out of this, she also discovered something about herself. She found out that through interpreting she can and has the opportunity to serve the deaf. Her interaction with them during the practicum period in church gave her a feeling of fulfillment knowing that she is helping them in their spiritual side of life. She was able to meet other deaf and improved her sign. Completing a program in a sign language course was a big surprise for her. She was able to overcome her fears of facing the crowd and now very eager to join and continue her mass interpreting and also joining medical-dental missions and the like for the deaf. She also is interested to join and attend events or seminars on deaf and sign language interpreting so to learn and improve her skills and to meet other deaf. Ate Elma is very much happy of being able to communicate with her daughter and able to understand her better. Now, aside from office works and mass interpreting she is keeping herself busy by tutoring her daughter herself.

 

CARLITO E. ANONUEVO

Among the four of them, only Carlo/Toto has no relationship with any hearing impaired person. He is an educator for almost eleven years now and handling an administrative position in a private school in Cavite. He got interested to take a sign language course when he met sir Jun years back. Because of his busy schedule between study and work he forgot everything about it until finally he had a chance to take the course and now a certified sign language interpreter. What was his impression and experiences with the deaf? He thought that they were hard to deal with because of communication barrier. He felt that his interaction with them was kind of intimidating in the sense that he didn't know how to handle the situation and didn't know how to react to what they were going to say and what their reaction would be. But later on he got used to having conversation with them till he was able to start a one although at times he didn't know what to sign and didn't understand what they were saying. His interaction with his batch mates and with the deaf of different localities is his unforgettable experience while taking the course. In addition, their performances during every culminating activity added spice to it. Now that he is a certified sign language interpreter of PAIDE he plans to join in the association's activities concerning the deaf likewise widen his skills in sign language thru trainings and seminars PAIDE will offer. When it comes to sign language interpreting he admires his trainers in PAIDE making him wonder how they became adept to it, and also dreams of becoming like them in the future. It was an awesome experience for him to be a part of PAIDE and becoming a sign language interpreter. He also wants to travel abroad and be able to reach out to the deaf people in different countries; how these individuals differ and how they communicate with others, how they live their life despite their incapability. Moreover, he wants to make a difference in the lives of these people by bridging the gap between them and the hearing individuals.

Congratulations to you guys! You now belong to the PAIDE community, a community that really cares much. The deaf is out there waiting for you. Way to go... More power!!! :-)

 

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