How sign language interpreters prepared for 2nd PiliPinas Debates 2016

A sign language interpreter said they had to memorize the quirks and manner of speaking of the presidential candidates to effecitvely convey to the Filipino deaf community the verbal tussle during the second PiliPinas Debates 2016 in Cebu on Sunday.

“It was very challenging,” said JP Maunes of the Philippine Accessible Deaf Services.

Maunes was one of the three interpreters during the second leg of Pilipinas Debates 2016.

“We prepared for at least two weeks just for the debate. We reviewed the last debate videos and we anticipated for the topic,” Maunes said.

He said they had to memorize the presidential candidates's quirks and manner of speaking based on videos of the first debate held in Cagayan de Oro City.

Four of the five presidential candidates, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior secretary Mar Roxas, participated in the second debate.

“For example si Mayor Duterte, kung magsalita siya medyo strong, so kami rin kung i-interpret namin dapat strong,” Maunes said.

“Kung si Senator Grace naman, malumanay siya magsalita, so dapat ganoon rin ang pag-sign mo sa kaniya, malumanay at kalmado,” he added.

Maunes said interpreters call it non-manual signal, a way of changing facial expression and body movement to match the personality of the one being interpreted.

Maunes calls it the core of interpreting.

“Dapat ma-personify mo ang character ng candidate,” he said.

Interpreting humor, mudslinging

The most challenging part of the second presidential debate for Maunes was interpreting the candidates' banters.

“Iba ang humor ng deaf culture. May cultural difference rin sa kanila,” he added.

Maunes explained that it would be difficult for the deaf community to understand the jokes delivered by each candidate because the uttered words usually have their cultural attachments, and may not have an equivalent translation in sign language.

Duterte, Poe and Roxas exchanged jokes for several minutes as they wait for the debate to start. It was delayed for at least an hour and a half due to a mix-up in the debate rules.

When the candidates started mudslinging, Maunes said it was not that very stressful.

“I was able to sign naman most of it, kaso when everyone is talking, nagiging noise na lang siya, so isa-sign ko na lang ano ang mapipick-up ko,” Maunes said.

Maunes said it would take a certain level of skill to interpret something as big as the presidential debate.

“You have to practice and gain advanced skills para effective ‘yung pag-i-interpret mo. Kailangan rin ng proper body mechanics para hindi ka magka-injury, kasi the debate lasted for two hours,” he said. —ALG, GMA News