This article discusses the importance of diversity. Some organizations say they understand diversity, but their organization, honestly, doesn’t reflect such “understanding”. Diversity in American Sign Language (ASL) companies is important. What I love about Maldon Language Interpreters, LLC (MALDON) is diversity is our middle name. MALDON not only promotes diversity, but it also highly values it. When considering which interpreters to employ, our list of interpreters run the gambit and others can tell the value that we place on creating a diverse workforce by looking at our body of interpreters. Take a moment to check out our MALDON’s Leadership Team.
Why is diversity so important? The idea is that diversity within an interpreting organization might allow for a closer, more accurate match between interpreter and consumer. We believe that interpreters who represent the same background, culture as the Deaf consumer for whom they are to interpret may do a better job (especially on certain jobs). So, for example, let’s assume that MALDON has received a request to staff interpreters for a Rosh Hashanah occasion. Because, we truly are a diverse company and because we really mean that, our first go-to would be to our known list of Jewish interpreters. We would ask them to work that job because the assumption is that they would have the best, most fitting knowledge base for what might be articulated at the event. Perhaps, a Jewish interpreter would do the best job. The point that I am making is that we have the ability to ask, because we have built a diverse company. Now, that does not mean that such an interpreter is in fact the best for that job. In fact, all of our interpreters are highly skilled and qualified (many with advanced degrees like doctorates). However, my point is not lost here: we value, diversity at MALDON. We value it so much that even while writing this blog, I asked one of our Jewish interpreters to review it. That interpreter informed me that on Rosh Hashanah, a devout Jewish person would not work. It’s not permitted. Still working with this fictitious example, I pondered what would we do? The answer is we would go down the list and the next, best suited interpreter would be assigned. We simply would have one of our Jewish interpreters to lead an educational moment—to teach a workshop. Speaking of workshop, MALDON highly values education too. Take a look at our Education page of our newly renovated website.
Hopefully, with this article you are reminded that Deaf people reflect the natural diversity of the world. There is a beautiful mixture of races and colors within the American Deaf Community (ADC). However, let’s not get paralyzed by color. Diversity does not stop there. There is also a beautiful mixture of religions, genders, sexual-orientations, levels of education and the list goes on and on. Working with MALDON, you get a company that realizes that and acts accordingly.
This is a picture taken at a MALDON interpreting retreat. It showcases MALDON's commitment to diversity, but also education.
About the writer:
Shawn Maldon, M.Ed, NIC
Nationally Certified ASL/English Interpreter
Shawn is the founder of Maldon Language Interpreters, LLC (www.MaldonInterpreting.com). He is also the author of an interpreting resource workbook for novice interpreters who work in religious settings. The book is titled, "Maldon's Scripture Guide: A Practice Manual."
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