HOW I BECAME A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER - GRATEFUL HEART

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In 2012, when I was an undergraduate studying Computer Engineering, I loved and still love doing so many things that would solve problems either for myself or others. I like to help, experiment, explore and make research on new things.

During the course of that, the church I attended, there were many hearing impaired people. Actually, I have never seen a deaf and dump person sign or communicate before until I got to the church. They have a special corner behind the congregation. I was always sitting at the front but every time they were communicating, their noise used to get my attention and I would wonder what they were saying, how they communicate to understand one another. So I was always looking back to the extent that I would not listen to the pastor's preaching. And the most pathetic of it is that it was only one person available to interpret to over 20 deaf and dump members of the church throughout the 3 hours service.

This got me thinking and I could not have peace of mind. I thought of joining to learn how to interpret. My friends in school tried to discourage me saying "how would I cope studying Engineering and at the same time learning Sign Language"? You know what? I told them I could do it and that I would know how to share my time.

After every struggle to make the decision, I think I made the right one! I started learning by buying the Sign Language book "The Joy of Signing", the American Sign Language though. Others that joined had time to attend the class but due to the distance of the church to my house, I could not. So I decided to study on my own at my leisure time. Sometimes in school, I signed to myself while reading, just to learn it. Anytime I get home, I used to stand in front of the mirror to learn it and be fast at it. I was very happy that I was getting it and it was getting interesting learning a new language which is not my mother tongue.

The difficulties I faced while learning Sign Language

Signing to myself wasn't enough, my mentor would tell me to interpret to the deaf members in the church as a pattern of learning faster. I should learn to talk while signing because some of them have the ability to read lips and confirm the correlation between what I'm saying and signing. Also, I should learn to illustrate for better understanding. Humm...all of this at the same time???? This was not easy!

As a learner, I wasn't fast to communicate, so the deaf members would discourage by rejecting me and wanted another person that was faster than I am. I was sad but I never gave up. I said to myself that my learning Sign Language is to help the deaf communicate to other people. Gradually, I became the interesting interpreter in the church. Sometimes, the deaf would want me to go with them to events to interpret to them.

As time went on, I learnt that the Sign Language has American, British and African Carved Sign Language. Learning all this was tough for me. I watched videos and read books. This was necessary for the different levels and degrees of the hearing impaired e.g illiterates, non-educated, graduates et al. So I had to understand to sign to this different levels at the same time.

Another challenge was standing all through signing every bit of information. The deaf don't like missing out information at all. They feel lost out and sad about it when people are laughing and they aren't doing same. [smiling...]

Interpreting outside the church

After some months of thorough learning, I was invited to join the ASLIN (Association of Sign Language Interpreters in Nigeria) group in Benin City. I was appointed to be the Secretary because of my level of education but I declined since I was still in school and that could disrupt my study. This was to no avail. I had to take up the duty.

My service exposed me to so many opportunities like interpreting in the hospital.
Our chapter in Benin organized a 3-day workshop in 2015. It was amazing! We had Professor Elisa Maroney from USA who was our facilitator, the President of ASLIN and some dignities were present. I felt so honoured as beginner in the midst of specialists and experts.

The ASLIN Officials

Prof. Elisa Maroney and I

We had some deaf students who came to act drama and danced to a song sung by their leader. I was overwhelmed by their performance because I felt they could not hear the rhythm of the song, yet they danced perfectly to the beat. I would have loved to share their pictures here but lost them.

These are some of the few pictures...

The attendees clapping in Sign Language

The Interpreters and Specialists present

How is the journey so far

Well, it's been of a great experience and tour for me. Since I left the state, I could not get to meet so many deaf to interpret to except on rare occasion. This may be too bad as I may forget what I have learnt since I no longer interpret. Guess what! I sign to myself everywhere I go, in church, while praying and singing...

I so much love Sign Language. I would say it's the most simplest language to learn within a short period. I'm grateful to God for everything. I'm grateful to my mentor and the disabled community as well.

I would like to extend my appreciation to @paradise-found (Pappy Bear)of #gratefulvibes for the opportunity to express my gratitude here on steemit. I love the #gratefulvibes family, so loving, caring and funny. I can't mention all your names but

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