I N T E R P R E T E R S

• Where were you born? And from where did you get your education?
  I was born in Hargeisia (Somalia) and got my education from Jabooti and I did intermediate from karachi. when I was there in Jabooti, I got a 4 year Diploma in cooking and dress designing .

• Is there any one deaf at your home?
  Yes! my four brothers and two sisters are deaf and my eldest sister is married and her husband is also a deaf, they are living happily. my all the four brothers are educated and have good jobs. 

• Why have you learned sign language?
  I know sign language since my childhood because six of my family members are deaf. so I am fluent in signing since then.

• How were you introduced to the deaf community?
  I feel myself as member of the deaf community since my childhood, because of my deaf siblings. And when my brother Muhammad Murad got the membership of PAD, I used to go to PAD with him so I am in touch with deaf community since long.

• Have you got interpreter Certificate/diploma? If yes, then from where?
  Yes recently I got diploma of  interpreter sign language from PAD and now I feel that I am a proficient interpreter. As I said I know sign language since child hood and I was interpreting for my siblings so I am an experienced interpreter of Pakistan Sign Language.  

•  Why have you chosen to become an interpreter?
  No it is not my profession, it is not for money! You know there are very few experienced interpreters for deaf community, being a sister of 6 deaf siblings I could understand their problem in communicating with people who do not know sign language, so I decided to be a volunteer interpreter to help other deaf. I have strong feelings for the deaf, so when PAD was at in its initial level I joined it and became volunteer interpreter with Shehla, since then I and shehla are official interpreter at PAD.

• What problems do u face as an interpreter?
  Not at all ! I am happy with the deaf, I am happy being volunteer interpreter for the deaf community.

• Is there any association of interpreters of sing language? If not. Then do you feel that there should be such an association?
  There wasn't but now there is !! I don't know if there was any standard institute offering Diploma / certificates in sign language interpreter, but, now at PAD we have not only such courses but students who finished their Diploma of interpreter have become our members and we discuss their problems and about their future as an interpreter. We are also willing to improve the Pakistani Sign Language. Right now we are at the initial level but if God bless we'll carryon (Inshallah). Here I would like to request the hearing community that they should come forward and should understand and help the deaf. Here at PAD we are struggling for the betterment of the deaf in every field, though we have limited resources but we are trying our level best to bring a major change in the lives of the deaf, any one who likes to join us is most welcome here at PAD.

• Have you worked as a regular interpreter?
  No as I have mentioned it is not my profession, but I am working as regular interpreter more than a professional interpreter could. Wherever there is nay program for the deaf, you can always find me interpreting on stage  specially in PAD's programs, besides this I visit PAD regularly and when there is any hearing guests who does not know sign I help them in communicating with the deaf. As I am also taking cooking classes for the deaf I always sign, now I don't feel any difference in signing and speaking both languages are my native languages. smile :)   

• Q10.When you are interpreting between the deaf and the hearing community, what Is the behavior of these people. Do you face any problem?
  For me interpreting between hearing and deaf is not at all difficult, so I don't face any problems regarding interpreting. But some times hearing people watch the deaf as if they are ALIEN but it is not so in reality because there are deaf people in all around the world, actually it is the lack of awareness among the hearing community, though now awareness about deaf is increasing but in our country it is still not much, sometimes I feel sorry for the hearing because, due to the lack of awareness these people have very weird thought abut the deaf. They should understand that there is only a difference in the method of communication nothing else, so they use sign to communicate as they can not listen (and / or speak). Deaf do have all the senses and they are sure talented, do not think of them aliens or mental due to their "waving  hands" (signing) and for their facial expressions/gestures.

• Q11. Tell us something about Pakistan sign language?
  You can find sign language in every country and so do in Pakistan, our Pakistan Sign Language (PSL) is very good we can convey all of our thoughts in PSL (by signs / gesture/ body language) but sure improvement is needed, in standardization, in grammar. PAD is taking responsibilities to standardize the PSL work is in progress and we are hoping lot improvement.   

• Q12.What do you think, is Pakistan sign language is complete and is there any standard of it? Do you feel that there should be some improvement in Pakistan sign language?
  The sign language in Pakistan is complete and satisfactory but we still want more improvement in it. So that, the deaf would not feel that there language is not satisfactory. Sign language is the only tool for the deaf by which they can communicate easily with each other. 

• Q13. What in your opinion should be done for the improvement of Pakistan sign language?
  I think we need to involve the deaf in each and every activity of life, we should not let them aloof, this way they will acquire more and more knowledge and then side by side their language (PSL) will get improvement and completeness this is the natural way for languages to improve. Let them have books, dramas, movies, in their own native language the sign language, so they might enjoy their life more and can acquire better understanding of life.

• Q14. Do you want to give any message to the deaf community?
  The message which I want to give is that, that the deaf community should not feel itself in lower-level as compares to the others. God has blessed them with abilities. I think they can perform their work better as compares to the hearing people they only need our love, attention and guidance.

• Q15. Any message for hearing community?
  Hearing should understand the deaf children. They should not let them be hurt or sensitive about anything and they should keep friendly relations with them.  They should give their love and attention. Deaf community is the part of our society, they should be given the same importance as the hearing people.

• Q16. What are your plans for future?
  I always wanted to do something for deaf community. God gave me the chance and I became the member of PAD. I've taught cooking / backing course to the deaf girls for 2 years. I am willing to continue and do more in future and Inshallah my cooperation always remain with deaf community whatever I can do to resolve problems that the deaf are facing in society, I'll do. In this regard we want the cooperation of people and we need resources at PAD so we could be more beneficial for the deaf community.

• Would you like to say anything else?
  we should do such work that, that these deaf children would remember us. Life is just given once by God. In this life we should try our best to think for others, we should spare some time for those children who need our attention. 
  
  This deaf community is my own they are my brothers and sister, I love them all. May God solve their problems, may they be successful in their life (Ameen). Govt. too should do its best to help deaf children and the organizations that are working for the cause of the deaf, it should come together and jointly make their efforts for betterment of the deaf community.
  
  Also I am thankful to PAD where I got chance to work as volunteer for deaf community. I request people to help PAD for its goals. PAD is a dynamic association it is not just a "deaf club" it is beyond this. At PAD they always try to make improvement in every way of life, either it is education, sport, job placement, marriages problem, or just a simple  personal problem they always seem willing to resolve the problem for the deaf. But they are with limited resources, I wish people come and provide needful resources so that PAD would be able to complete its mission. 
  
  May God Bless PAD, and give courage to those who are working there  for the cause of the deaf

MAY PAD REMAINS FOREVER
(Ameen)

BACK