The Trauma of Translating. its inability to communicate in English. This disadvantage becomes evident when visiting places

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1 Valencia 1 Juan Valencia Ms. Dasher AP English Literature and Composition 9 October 2017 The Trauma of Translating 19 million people; that is about the ten percent of the American population. Ten percent that speak little to no English. This significant chunk of the American population is crimpled by its inability to communicate in English. This disadvantage becomes evident when visiting places such as courts, hospitals, and social services offices, where speaking English is crucial. This is where the role of interpreters come in. Whether it is from English to Spanish or English to ASL, interpreters bridge the gap between non-english speaking individuals and the corresponding professional. These translators provide a priceless service to their community by speaking and listening on the behalf of these individuals. However, what happens when interpreters fall under the grip of vicarious trauma? The ACA describes vicarious trauma as the emotional residue of exposure that counselors have from working with people as they are hearing their trauma stories and become witnesses to the pain, fear, and terror that trauma survivors have endured. Vicarious trauma affects individuals that work in fields where part of their day is made up of listening to traumatic stories of abuse and neglect. Hearing cases about abuse and pain upon hours and hours take a toll on interpreters. It is in our nature to feel bad for others in pain. In the case of interpreters, listening and speaking about such horrible events causes depression and trauma in their own lives. Vicarious trauma is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and can be prevented to ensure the effectiveness and wellbeing of interpreters.

2 Valencia 2 First, interpreters serve an important role in court and hospital environments. Without interpreters many people would not be able to plead their case in front of a judge, causing an individual to be wrongly convicted of a crime or maybe not to be able to defend themselves for a ticket they were given unfairly. For example, in many cases people can reduce the amount of a ticket by showing that you have good character and are a productive member of society. Well that is hard to do if the person cannot speak the language. This issue occurs often since, 19 million people living within the United States are not fluent in the English language (Seman). Being at a disadvantage also discourages non-english speakers to participate in the judicial system as witnesses, which could be crucial in a criminal investigation. Thanks to interpreters, non-english speakers can participate in everyday situations that English speaking people take for granted. Although in many cases interpreters are only witnessing minor misdemeanors and traffic stops, it is also part of their job to interpret in cases related to heinous crimes. Court room interpreters in these cases must listen to traumatic stories about murder, rape and other monstrous crime. Studies have shown that Most interpreters surveyed were exposed to an estimated 1 to 3.5 hours of traumatic material on a weekly basis (Bobert). Having to listen to these traumatic stories daily over a long period of time take a toll on a person. Many people believe that various trauma in interpreters is not as severe as it is in therapist and other professionals, but [i]nterpreters seem to experience vicarious trauma differently than other professionals providing aid since they do more than witness the trauma; they channel it (Muller). Unlike therapist, interpreters do not have the ability to weigh in on situations that they come across in their field of work; this is since part of being an interpreter is that they must remain impartial and simple speak on the behave of an individual; When providers observe the multiple problems experienced by some of the people seeking their help, coupled with the

3 Valencia 3 difficulty many survivors have in finding appropriate services in a fragmented system, they may feel like helpless witnesses (Edmund). This takes a much bigger toll on interpreters because they do not only experience the trauma, but they also experience helplessness due to the fact they cannot help the victims. Vicarious trauma takes a serious toll on the individuals that it affects. Interpreters have been known to experience serious negative effects on their minds and even have had negative effects on their physical wellbeing. Vicarious trauma is common amongst interpreters who specialize in cases that involve serious crimes such as murder and rape. Studies show that, 42% said they suffered from secondary traumatic stress and 70% exhibited at least one symptom of secondary traumatic stress (Ogla Phoenix). Symptoms of traumatic stress include: emotional numbness, nightmares, and difficulty concentrating. When it comes to trauma, most people instantly associate it with problems with one s psyche; the truth is that it can also eat away at one s physical health. For example, this interpreter states that, [he] experience their sadness, their pain, their emotional pain; but there have been times when [he] ve actually experienced physical pain as well. When [he] interpreted physical abuse or rape, it was as though [his] body actually felt it (Muller). Not only do some interpreters experience this pain as they listen to the individual but also after the fact. Due to the stress and trauma, interpreters are left scared and some have even experience headaches due to the stress. Some professionals reported physical symptoms such as headaches and nausea from the worry and reflected trauma of certain cases (NSPCC). Headaches are distracting to interpreters and negatively effect the way they work making them less effective. Vicarious trauma does not only affect the individual but also their relationships with others around them.

4 Valencia 4 As a matter of fact, vicarious trauma causes problems in individuals relationships with their friends and families. It is only normal that interpreters experience troubles with their relationships due to their changing behaviors depending on the case they are working on. Although it is not the cases in every situation many interpreters do state the fact that their mood is directly affected by a case they might be working on. Studies show that more than two thirds of the respondents agreed that they were sometimes upset by the material they had to interpret, and 49% experienced mood or behavioral changes related to their work (Lai). This is common especially since interpreters cannot talk about cases they are working on due to confidentiality agreements. For example, this interpreter states that, [He] get[s] angry that [his] friends and others take things for granted and don t see how difficult life is for so many. And [he] can t exactly explain it to them because of confidentiality (Muller). All the trauma they experience is often bottled up and traces of it might involuntary make themselves present in inappropriate moments causing discomfort in a family setting where their kids might not understand the situation. The interpreter previously mentioned also states the fact that it takes him time to overcome a hard case and to go back to normal. Most importantly the interpreter that was interviewed states that, It helps to talk to a friend who is also an interpreter because they understand better than anyone what this job is about, and that it can bring you into contact with very unusual and painful situations (Muller). In that quote he addresses the importance of communication to help interpreters overcome vicarious trauma. As a result, vicarious trauma should be as spoke about as PTSD and other versions of phycological trauma. Not only does it affect people, but it effects people who are trying to help others with their personal trauma. Addressing vicarious trauma would not only alleviate the negative impact on the clinician, but also would help ensure quality services for clients who seek

5 Valencia 5 their assistance (Bobert). By addressing this issue, one would not only help those who suffer from it, but it would also improve their ability to do their job. Like many things vicarious trauma does not have a cure but by making others aware it is possible to reduce the its affects. The best way to address vicarious trauma is self-help. It is important that interpreters affected by this trauma to take time to participate in activities that are stress-free to keep a healthy mind. For example, Researchers have found that leisure activities are effective at reducing symptoms of vicarious trauma because of their restorative nature (Bobert). Simple activities such as going for walks can help victims of vicarious trauma allowing them to perform their jobs as interpreters to their highest ability. It is important that an interpreter has a clear mind when working on cases because many times a client is relying on them. Ultimate vicarious trauma affects many professionals such as interpreters. Interpreters are providing a very important service, especially in the United States since there are so many people that do not speak English. Not only do they give a voice to those who do not have one, but they also make it easier for them to participate in their civic duties. Sadly, these unsung heroes fall into the crippling grip of vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma causes them to suffer the pain of their clients and in some cases, it causes them physical pain as well. Because of this trauma interpreter s relationships with their loved ones are negatively affected and they are not as efficient in their line of work. Many professionals believe that Whilst exposure to trauma increases the likelihood that it will negatively affect a professional, in the right environment that same exposure can improve resilience and help professionals empathize with their clients whilst staying emotionally healthy (NSPCC). By addressing this problem, you can help improve the life of the interpreters and other professionals suffering from it and those people who rely on them for help.

6 Valencia 6 Works Cited American Counseling Association. "Varcariouse Trama." Varcariouse Trama. Accessed 26 Sept Bobert, T. "Prevention of Vicarious Trauma: Are Coping Strategies Enough?" Strategies for Reducing Secondary or Vicarious Trauma, Accessed 29 Sept Edmund, Debi. "13d Risk Factors for Vicarious Trauma and Burnout." Real Tools, file:///c:/users/majovave/downloads/13d-risk-factors-for-vicarious-trauma-and- Burnout.pdf. Accessed 28 Sept Lai, Miranda. "Vicarious Trauma Among Interpreters." Vicarious Trauma Among Interpreters. Accessed 28 Sept Muller, Robert. "Vicarious Trauma and the Professional Interpreter." Psychology Today., Susssex, 2 Aug Accessed 26 Sept NSPCC. "Vicarious trauma: the consequences of working with abuse." NSPCC. Accessed 26 Sept Ogla Phoenix. "Painful Truths About Vicarious Trauma: Statistics From the Field." Ogla Phoenix, Accessed 26 Sept Seman, Sarah. "One in Ten People Living in the United States Can't Speak Fluent English." Townhall, 24 Sept Accessed 29 Sept