Blog #2: Think It Until You Believe It

When it comes to primary and secondary discourses, most people maintain both. For instance, one may have a primary discourse they acquired naturally at home, while also having a secondary discourse within a work environment.  According to James Paul Gee, "Discourses are ways of being in the world, they are forms of life which integrate words, values, beliefs, attitudes, and social identities as well as gestures, body positions, glances, and clothes."  In other words, all of these forms of life form a variety of language.

One example of me mushfaking my way into a career was when I first started my American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting internship. I had been in the ASL interpreting program for months.  I knew sign language, had knowledge about the Deaf Community and it's Culture, and was aware of the general role of an interpreter as a whole.  However, when in when it came to interpret in a professional setting for the first time (I had only interpreted in casual settings), I had to without a doubt fake it.

To give you an idea, I did so by:

• Getting my nails painted a neutral color (all the clients were going to be staring at my hands, and chipped bright blue polish was not going to cut it).
• Purchasing all black clothing to meet the appropriate color requirements as an interpreter.  Black is a lovely color, but I prefer bright and loud. 
• Walking in that door the first day with my head held high, pretending and acting like I had done this professional b.s. many times before.

Here is another simple, elementary example.  During the beginning of my internship, I was observing my teammate interpreter.  No less than a few minutes into her interpreting, I noticed she quickly tucked her necklace inside her shirt.  After she did so, I tucked my own necklace inside my shirt.  I did not realize until later, but the necklace was a distraction for the client and prevented him from seeing the signs clearly and fluidly.  When it came time for my teammate and I to switch-off, becoming my turn to interpret, I had already gottten rid of the distraction.
Score.

In a way, I think "faking it" is a survival technique in the work force. It can be a powerful tactic that allows one's audience to trust that you possess certain traits and characteristics, and that you meet their necessities and wants.  And at times, one is already naturally good at what they are "faking."

After scrolling through my camera roll a bit, I came across this photograph.  This is a snapchat I posted on my first day of my internship. I find it silly because I even captioned it, "Out here looking like an interpreter." I was already an interpreter, even though I didn't feel like one.  

Ironically, this second snapchat was taken a few days after.  Wearing clothing with loud prints and patterns, I captioned it, "Can't tell if I wanna be space or the ocean today."  Clearly through my black interpreting clothes, I was "faking it" to make it seem like I am normally a professional interpreter. I was making my clients believe this is me and that I am 'indeed' already a professional.

Im not sure exactly why I have these snapchats saved on my camera roll,
but they came in handy for this blog! Thank you, year-ago me!

When it came to professionalism in general, I faked it, then made it. I thought it, and now believe it.  

Today, I truly love the work I do, even though I'm still learning daily. I have asked many Deaf friends if they prefer an interpreter who was maybe not the very 'best' at signing a particular interpreting assignment, but has a great attitude, or would they prefer an interpreter who has a terrible attitude, but is an A1 signer. Most Deaf people told me they would pick the first one. 

I take that to heart. If I put a smile on my face, come in with an alluring attitude, and act confident...well, therefore I am confident, know what I'm doing, and appealing to the masses! 

I am a professional, and I got it down.