Meanest Interpreter in the World

Who's the meanest interpreter in the world? It could be me, considering I made a sixth-grader cry on Friday. But, I'll let you be the judge.

I interpret for two deaf students in the same language arts class, a little boy and a little girl. Last Thursday, the little girl was absent (a frequent occurrence). Friday, both students were back in class and the little girl had picked up her make-up assignment and started working on it during class. I was interpreting the current day's lesson for her and the other student when this little girl started asking me for help on her make-up work. I stopped interpreting for a moment to tell her, "Not right now, the teacher is talking, pay attention," and went back to interpreting the lesson. Apparently my response to her demands for help was unsatisfactory, because this girl then started hitting her desk to get my attention and was emphatically pointing at her make-up worksheet. I looked at her and then pointed to the teacher and again said, "Pay attention."

At this point I could see that she was getting very frustrated with me. Her paper was on her desk and she kept poking at it and hitting her desk. Now, keep in mind, there is another deaf student in this class, the teacher is busy teaching a new lesson, and this little girl has used no language whatsoever, she's only been hitting her desk, pointing to her paper and angrily looking at me. So, I said, "Excuse me," to the little boy and then stopped interpreting for a minute to talk to the little girl. In a basic English translation, I told her to knock it off. "I'm in the middle of interpreting. The teacher is talking and not only are you missing the information, but now [the little boy] is missing it too. And, if you need my help, you could try asking for it politely, saying 'please help me,' instead of being rude and pounding on your desk." I lectured this little girl for probably 45 seconds. At the end of my lecture the little girl just sat still for a moment and then she started to cry. I gave her some kleenex and then I just left her alone for a little bit because I didn't want to draw too much attention to her (she didn't need all of the other students to stare at her) and the teacher went on with class.

I felt kind of bad that this girl started to cry because of me, but I don't think I was too harsh with her. The two of us ended up talking about it a little bit later and she was okay then.