Time To Heal: a critical analysis of American Sign Language Interpreters\u27 occupational culture in the United States

Horizontal violence, otherwise known as mobbing, lateral aggression, or bullying (Browne & Smith 2008; Dellasega, 2007; Heim & Murphy, 2001) has been previously documented in the field of sign language interpreting as well as in other human services professions such as nursing and teaching (Ott, 2012). Interpersonal workplace hostility can have devastating personal and professional consequences regardless of the field of practice, particularly when attacks are repeated and severe (Leymann & Gustafsson, 1996, as cited in Browne & Smith, 2008). In addition to the long-term effects of horizontal violence, a study by Hewlett (2013) found that negative interactions between interpreters during an interpreting situation causes emotional and mental strain, which in turn can impact the interpreter’s performance. The cumulative effect of sign language interpreters’ occupational culture of horizontal violence, therefore, is an additional ableist oppressive force that sign language interpreters collectively perpetrate against our community of service, the D/ deaf. In this thesis study, the principal researcher explores features related to occupational cultures of horizontal violence and seeks to assess the current state of the field through anonymous surveys of sign language interpreters in the United States. Evidence from psychosocial research on the effects of workplace hostility provides insight into the ramifications of repeated peer-to-peer traumatization in the workplace. A thorough review of the literature identifies the factors unique to interpreting which provide optimal conditions for horizontal violence to thrive. Data collected nationwide via electronic survey over the course of an eight-week long period of time elicited 59 unique responses for the experiential survey including a qualitative self-identity inventory and personal narratives on their experiences, perceptions, and observations of horizontal violence. The horizontal violence experiential survey gathered quantitative data of respondents\u27 lived experiences and observations of ten horizontal violence related behaviors. For seven of the described behaviors (non-verbal innuendo, verbal affront, undermining service provision, bickering, backstabbing, gossiping, and microaggressions) a majority of participants (over 50%) positively identified these behaviors with experiences they have had in their professional communities. Utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and the social network theory, the qualitative data was analyzed manually and coded for themes related to the literature on horizontal violence, the sociolinguistic framework for sign language interpreters, and a Black feminist pedagogy (hooks, 2003; Krieger & Belliger, 2017; Roy & Metzger, 2014). Five major themes were revealed through this analysis to have casual ties to the culture of horizontal violence that sign language interpreters experience. Finally, the author discusses several possible solutions for individual practitioners and communities of interpreters experiencing horizontal violence based on current literature and personal praxis

Discussing the Current Perception of Horizontal Violence Within the Sign Language Interpreting Profession: Are There Misconceptions?

Sign language interpreters are becoming more accustomed to acts of horizontal violence (HV). Research shows the magnitude of the problem in other fields, such as nursing, midwifery, and educational settings. However, little research was available with respect to sign language interpreters. This study investigated sign language interpreters\u27 understanding of HV and emotional intelligence (EI) while determining the differences between feedback, critiquing, and criticism through participants\u27 perspectives. The participants were from varied backgrounds and levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. In addition, the research assessed how interpreters perceived the terminology presented. The research also investigated participants\u27 experiences with HV as a student or practicing professionals and their thoughts on any association between HV and EI

Father’s Experiences of Inclusion and Exclusion within Home-School Partnerships

My motivation for my thesis is rooted in my experiences with the people in my life and more specifically, my experiences with watching fathers navigate societal and cultural norms in education

Task-Centered Instruction and Multimedia Tools for the Adult Learner in Online Education

This project outlines the structural changes made to the course Microsoft Word for Workplace Communications. This course’s reconstruction followed prevailing instructional design theories. The focus of this project included incorporating the standards for task-centered instruction. The application of adult learning theories were employed. The use of multimedia tools were integrated into this course project redesign to create an effective online learning environment

Teaching for Empathy in the Language Arts Classroom

Abstract Through a reflection of personal philosophy, a literature review focused on best practices for teaching language arts, including the use of scaffolds and differentiation, and through the collection of and interpretation of instructional data, a study was conducted about the expansion of empathy skills in the language arts classroom. Questions of how to include curricula that promotes student identities, values cultural capital, and promotes relationship-building were analyzed, with an emphasis on reading that promotes empathy. Key findings from data collected and studied found that discourse was an underrepresented tool for literary reflection and that creativity fosters student engagement, which increases connection with classroom content

Supporting English Language Learners Through Effective Teaching Strategies

Supporting English Language Learners Through Effective Teaching Strategie