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Between Classes: Marna Arnell
Sign Language Interpretation
Marna Arnell
fears the Vulcan death grip
Education:
Sign Language Interpretation Diploma, 1991
Currently:
A community interpreter, working mainly in post-secondary schools and via video relay
Professional affiliations and awards:
- Douglas College Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, 2009
- Celebration of Excellence Award recipient (granted by the Disability
- Resource Network of BC), 2008 member, Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada
Why I love my job:
Every day is new and the work energizes me. As a new field, interpreting requires each of us to be a researcher, a teacher and a student on the job. There are absolutely no limits to what we can achieve.
A rewarding experience
If anyone had told me when I graduated that I would one day receive this wonderful award, I would have had a good laugh at the thought. But I did have a dream and I was in the right place at the right time. I got to play a part in establishing interpreting services in the post secondary system in BC. Does this make me a Distinguished Alumna? I am not sure, but I treasure my years at Douglas College and I am deeply honoured to be this year’s recipient.
Why interpreting?
Mostly curiosity. Watching young Deaf people sign and interact was the most amazing unanswered puzzle I had ever seen. Why did they stomp their feet, what makes a hand movement a sign and how did they learn were just some of the questions I had when I watched them. I came to Douglas College to learn the answers – not specifically to become an interpreter – but the intrigue of matching the languages was too enticing. So, 18 years later, I am still working with that challenge.
A touch Spock would envy
Learning to sign means moving your upper body constantly – arms, torso and head. This produced lots of muscle strain in us new signers, so an instructor brought in a massage therapist who showed us techniques to relieve the stress. One classmate pressed so hard on the spine of another that she pinched a nerve. The poor, hapless recipient fell to the floor unconscious. Paramedics were called, the student awoke having no idea what had happened and our lesson ended. We all still feel the muscle effects of signing, but few of us dare to press down on the spine, even after all these years.
Benefits of membership
The applied program approach meant that 16 strangers turned into 16 colleagues. Among those colleagues are friends I will have for life. Upon graduation, our instructors became our co-workers and that has also made for wonderful relationships. The best thing about being at Douglas is that we still feel welcomed.
Still applies
Teamwork was the buzzword in the early ’90s, much different from my experiences at university. This collegiality continued into the workplace, so I was well prepared by my Douglas experiences.
If I could turn back time
I would tell my pre-college self that going to school is worth it, but remember to balance it with family, fun and everything that is in your life now.
Advice for today’s grads
Each of you will make changes in your field, big or small, recognized or not. After you start working, rely on the excellent training you have received, which has given you the skills to do the job, the confidence to challenge yourselves and others, and an understanding of the community you serve.
