CHOPPED | Official website of Sign Language Interpreter NYC – Lydia Callis | Metaglossia: The Translation World | Scoop.it

I recently had the privilege of interpreting for Chef Kurt Ramborger  on the Food Network show Chopped. Every time I interpret for someone so talented and dedicated to pursuing their dreams, my own passion is reignited. My clients inspire me to do the best job I can do, and remind me why I became an ASL interpreter in the first place.

I feel blessed with the perspective I gained growing up in a deaf family. I’ve never thought of deafness as a disability and, through my interpreting work, I have been able to expose many hearing individuals to the Deaf Culture that I know and love. Deaf people tell jokes, have parties, go to concerts, drive cars, work jobs, and watch TV. They attend classes, and go out to eat, and communicate on the phone (using a video phone or relay). As an interpreter, it’s interesting to note how many hearing people simply assume deaf people cannot enjoy things. That notion couldn’t be more misguided! As I. King Jordan famously said “Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do, except hear.”