Brendan Stern

So, it was Interpreter Appreciation Day two days ago, which is apparently “extremely problematic.” Some deaf people argue the day shouldn’t exist. According to various accounts, that’s because (1) interpreters don’t make “sacrifices”; (2) interpreters should thank deaf people, not the other way around; (3) there are plenty of unprofessional, unqualified interpreters undeserving of appreciation; (4) interpreters represent oppressive — or at best, paternalistic — forces in our daily lives; and (5) for all these reasons, the day can trigger painful memories for deaf people.

I wouldn’t have known any of this if I hadn’t logged onto Twitter last night.

But. I. Could. Not. Help. Myself.

I think the whole debate is fascinating — and worth serious attention. Because we should be careful what we wish for. Here are FIVE reasons why the Interpreter Appreciation Day is something that we should continue to celebrate:

(1) Psychological benefits of appreciation. For sheer self-interest, it pays to be thankful. Studies by psychologist Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania found that people who went out of their way to thank someone experienced a boost in happiness that lasted a full month.

(When I think about it, Muslims often answer, “Alhamdulillah,” grateful for the simple things. Jews go around the dinner table sharing what and who they’re thankful for on the Sabbath. Maybe that’s what elders mean by wisdom hiding in tradition.)

If we want happier deaf people, we could do worse than keep Interpreter Appreciation Day.

(2) Interpersonal benefits of appreciation. Showing appreciation makes people like us more, builds camaraderie, and makes it likelier we’ll achieve our goals. I don’t need to cite a study — that’s common sense.

(I’ll put $20 on parents and coaches nodding along.)

Gratitude makes teams better. Of course, deaf people can choose not to thank interpreters. But then we shouldn’t be shocked if interpreters start treating their work as nameless, thankless labor — because they’re human. And guess what? That means we’re less likely to get what we want in that appointment.

(3) Power doesn’t rule out appreciation. Appreciation days aren’t just for the powerless. We celebrate bosses, secretaries, system admins, tourists, even emperors — precisely because gratitude fosters healthy relationships, regardless of power dynamics. Control is sometimes a necessary evil. Whether we’re parents or kids, presidents or citizens, professors or students, coaches or players, it’s wise to show appreciation.

Yes, there are tiresome, power-hungry interpreters who have no business interpreting. But it’s quite a leap to brand interpreters as a whole “paternalistic” or “oppressive.” They exist to provide access — to do their best to ensure deaf people get complete, accurate information. If the mere existence of a majority language and the need to bridge languages is oppressive, what’s the alternative? Teaching everyone in the U.S. ASL and banning all other languages? Should interpreters refuse to do the very jobs we require of them?

In reality, interpreters don’t depend on our oppression. They’re solutions to the challenges of a multilingual country. It’s head-scratching to bite the hands that give us access, then blame them for perpetuating oppression. But this is less about the logic of deaf people or the ethics of interpreters — and more an indictment of a culture where outrage is currency and people get publicly flogged for performing exactly the roles we demand of them.

And no, Interpreter Appreciation Day doesn’t force anyone to thank all interpreters. Deaf people can absolutely skip the bad ones. If someone is triggered by bad memories, that’s genuinely regrettable. But it’s not reason enough to cancel the day. By that logic, we’d scrap Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Day too.

(4) Interpreters are actually under-appreciated. Contrary to some claims on social media, deaf people get far more public attention than interpreters. Yes, sometimes bad interpreters hog the spotlight. But that’s the inevitable nature of interpreting.

As a deaf person using an ASL interpreter, I often feel more connected to the interpreter than to the hearing person. We share language, values, norms. I (rightly or wrongly) judge the hearing person by the interpreter who’s channeling them. Do we want to fault interpreters for being put in that position? It’s not power they asked for. It’s the byproduct of communication itself.

Meanwhile, we have Nyle DiMarco, Deaf Gain, Gallaudet, Claudia Gordon, Lost River Vacations, The ASL App, NAD, Marlee Matlin, Deaf Awareness Month, Curtis Pride, Deaf Studies, Discovering Deaf Worlds, Savvy ASL, the Maryland Governor’s Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. The list goes on.

And what about the interpreters? Uh. There’s the RID. Jack Jason. Uh. Lydia Callis. Interpreting Studies programs. That interpreter at the Mandela memorial service. Well, wait.

(5) Great interpreters are worthy. If we can point out terrible interpreters, we should also recognize there are excellent ones too. Interpreter Appreciation Day is a chance to celebrate those who go above and beyond.

If not for a few interpreters who rearranged their schedules after I endured dismal university interpreters, I probably wouldn’t have my Ph.D.

If not for those who sacrificed weekends and precious sleep to interpret the births of our children, I wouldn’t have fully appreciated the miracle of childbirth or my wife’s astonishing strength.

If not for two interpreters who volunteered to handle complicated arrangements at the Comedy Cellar and prepared diligently last February, my friends and I wouldn’t have known just how hilarious Moshe Kasher is.

You know who you are. I may be two days late, but thank you.