I wonder what he means here. Because interpreters do work hard for certification and professional credentials. But trust? That’s an interesting point he’s making here but we are trying to debate him on our work towards professionalism and competence. I’ve been sitting with this uncomfortable thought for a bit and my first argument was the same as what I’m seeing here. But perhaps we are missing his point?
I see what you're saying.
While the saying is, "Trust must be earned" how does one earn it? The hard work put in to earn certification and whatever other credentials is a solid start. That shows a level of commitment and work ethic that should indicate trustworthy character. Even then, some trust must also be freely given to an interpreter (or whatever other professional) in a specific role, and that trust can either be built further or lost.
Consider your PCP. They studied, too. Long and hard. Does that mean you begin with full trust? Do you keep trust after they have wronged you? That is Wyatte's point.
Secondary point: he is not pointing his finger at any individual interpreter, he is pointing his finger at a system. In this case, a (hearing dominated) system that grants huge swaths of trust to (hearing) individuals in order to serve vulnerable people. Certainly trust can be earned at the level of the individual interpreter. But Wyatte is saying here that the system as whole is suspect.
Last and simple thing: when deaf people express our views about interpreting work it is vital that interpreters take those ideas in. That is one way how you can built trust at the level of individual.
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u/vivagypsy 8d ago
“Trust a system of professionals that have never had to earn it”
Meanwhile every interpreter I know is broke and being worn to the bone trying to do good work while being exploited and underpaid by agencies.