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Title
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More Than Words: How Interpreters Wrestle with Risk, Rules, and Really Hard Choices
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Creator
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Shayla Richardson
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Degree Name
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Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies
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Project Type
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thesis
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Date
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6/13/2026
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Abstract
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The topic of courage and risk in the profession of signed language interpreting (SLI) is nuanced, with emerging research on how interpreters make ethical decisions and how this impacts the profession, consumers, and practitioners. A professional’s freedom to make decisions as befits their expertise, ability to implement values into action, and normative messaging are important topics when considering a professional’s ability to make ethical decisions. Literature in the field suggests that the signed language interpreting profession struggles with appropriate professional decision-making due to norms. If a practitioner is restricted in their decision-making due to norms, doing what is right even when it is difficult is a courageous act. This thesis explores how professional courage manifests in interpreter decision-making and what factors contribute to making courageous decisions versus conforming to expected and harmful norms. Through questionnaires, I identified a group of interpreters who told courageous stories that went against norms. These interpreters defied norms by upholding their values for the good of their consumers despite risk to themselves and feelings of fear. Both practitioners and interpreter educators will benefit from a research-backed avenue of discussion on factors that influence interpreters to go against accepted norms and to behave courageously.
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Keywords
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decisional latitude
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norms
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courage
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Committee Member
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Elisa Maroney
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Erin Trine
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Elizabeth Jean-Baptiste
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 07/27/2026, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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Type
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text
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Image;StillImage
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data
