In a recent press conference held by the Tampa police to announce an arrest in the Tampa serial killings, a sign language interpreter made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The woman, identified as Derlyn Roberts, was supposed to be translating everything being said, but it turns out that much of what she was signing was complete nonsense. This incident raises concerns about how she was allowed to participate in such a high-profile event, especially given her history of arrests for fraud.
Tampa Police Public Information Officer Steve Haggerty admitted that the woman simply showed up out of the blue and offered her services. While Haggerty didn’t call for a sign language interpreter, he let her in, assuming she knew what she was doing. Unfortunately, she did not, and her performance has sparked outrage among sign language experts and the deaf community. This incident comes just three months after another interpreter at a Hurricane Irma news conference in Florida also failed to make any sense. The Tampa police emphasize that this was not a crime, but rather an ethical violation that they will not allow to happen again.
Background
Recently, another incident of a fake sign language interpreter signing total gibberish has come to light. This time, it occurred at a police news conference where an arrest in the Tampa serial killings was being announced. A woman named Derlyn Roberts was standing off to the side, supposedly translating every word that was being said. However, it was soon discovered that much of her signing was nonsensical. Further investigation revealed that Roberts had a history of arrests for fraud. This raises the question: how did she come to be the interpreter at such a high-profile event?
Police News Conference
During the police news conference, where the arrest in the Tampa serial killings was being announced, accusations arose regarding the sign language interpreter signing nonsense. It became clear that the interpreter, Derlyn Roberts, was not proficient in sign language and was unable to accurately translate the information being shared. This incident raised concerns about the identification and selection process used to determine who should be the interpreter in such critical situations.
Derlyn Roberts
Digging into Derlyn Roberts’ background, it was discovered that she had a history of fraud-related arrests. This information further highlights the questionable qualifications and credibility of Roberts as a sign language interpreter. It also raises doubts about whether she received any proper training or certification in sign language interpretation. These concerns prompt the need for a thorough evaluation of interpreters’ credentials before they are allowed to perform in important events.
How She Got In
The mystery surrounding how Derlyn Roberts managed to become the sign language interpreter at the Tampa police news conference continues to perplex many. According to Tampa Police public information officer Steve Haggerty, the situation unfolded when Roberts simply showed up out of the blue and offered her services. Despite not being specifically asked for a sign language interpreter, Haggerty allowed her in without questioning her credibility or qualifications. This lack of verification process allowed Roberts to take advantage of the situation and present herself as a legitimate interpreter.
Unnoticed Issues
During the conference, there were no apparent problems with Roberts’ signing to the untrained eye, including those of the police spokesperson. The lack of training in sign language among the conference attendees likely contributed to the failure to recognize Roberts’ incompetence. However, this incident underscores the importance of providing proper training in sign language interpretation to individuals involved in public events, ensuring that they can identify and address any issues promptly.
Previous Incident
This incident is not the first of its kind, as a similar incident occurred during a news conference for Hurricane Irma in Florida. The sign language interpreter at that event was also unable to convey coherent information, highlighting the recurring problem of unqualified interpreters gaining access to important events. These incidents serve as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for swift action and accountability to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Consequences
As a result of these incidents, the decision has been made to not use Derlyn Roberts as an interpreter again. Although her actions were not considered a crime, they were undoubtedly an ethical violation. The use of unqualified interpreters undermines the trust and confidence of the public, especially individuals who rely on sign language interpretation to access critical information. To maintain public trust, it is crucial to ensure that only qualified and legitimate interpreters are utilized in such scenarios.
Public Reaction
The sign language community, including experts and advocates, expressed outrage at the incident involving Derlyn Roberts. These professionals understand the importance of accurate and reliable sign language interpretation, as it directly affects the accessibility and understanding of information for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The incident also generated concerns among the general public, as it raised questions about the level of accountability and vetting processes in place for sign language interpreters.
Future Solutions
To address and prevent incidents like this from happening again, it is imperative to implement verification processes for sign language interpreters. This could involve verifying their credentials, certifications, and qualifications before allowing them to interpret in important events. Additionally, a comprehensive training program should be established to ensure interpreters receive proper education and guidance in sign language interpretation. Taking sign language interpretation seriously and prioritizing the accuracy and accessibility of communication is crucial for fostering inclusivity in society.
Conclusion
The incident involving Derlyn Roberts serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and learning from such occurrences. By acknowledging and rectifying the issues that allowed an unqualified interpreter to participate in a high-profile event, we can improve communication accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Strengthening verification processes, providing comprehensive training, and promoting accountability will help ensure that qualified and competent sign language interpreters are chosen for important events. Through these efforts, we can work towards an inclusive society where accurate and reliable sign language interpretation services are readily available.