Disability is not Inability

Zubeyda Melkonian dreams for the deaf

Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 10:30:36 -0800 (PST)

Hello,

My name is Marina Nercessian. You may remember as an advocate for the Deaf in Armenia. I had recently posted a concise update on the situation of the Deaf in Armenia. Today, I would like to share with you an interview I had with one of the interpreters in Yerevan. Her name is Zubeyda Melkonian and here is her story.

Zubeyda Melkonian was born to Deaf Parents. She started interpreting very early for her parents. She was the link between her Deaf parents and the rest of the Hearing world. When she graduated from the School of Pedagogy in Yerevan, it was not her intention to
become an interpreter. A friend of hers convinced her to become one pointing out to her that without her the Deaf had no allies.

According to Zubeyda, interpreters in Armenia became interpreters because they were CODAs. They do not have formal interpreter training, or education. They are not wholly aware of ethics of interpreting. They are not aware of Deaf culture or behavior. What they have picked up they picked up from their Deaf parents and
Deaf friends and community. Sadly, there are no universities or schools that prepare interpreters for the Deaf.

In Armenia, there are 3.500 to 4.000 Deaf who have only 10 interpreters. The Union of the Deaf in Armenia pays them $50.00 a month. However, the Deaf who live in the provinces do not
have interpreter services of any kind. In 2005 specialists in Deaf issues came from Finland and Moscow and organized a three day seminar for the interpreters who look forward to such workshops and
seminars.

The Union of the Deaf in Yerevan was established in 1930. It used to have six branches in the different provinces of Armenia. Not all branches are active and one has already shut down.
When asked what Zubeyda wants to see changed in Armenia towards the Deaf, this is what she enumerated:

1. She would like to see Deaf adults defend Deaf issues themselves and not depend on interpreters to defend speak up and speak out for them. Interpreters should only interpret.

2. She wants to see the Deaf of the world unite.

3. She wants to see Deaf children grow up in Deaf friendly atmosphere and Deaf friendly community.

4. She wants to see Deaf people and deaf adults (not Hearing people) represent Deaf people in the community.

Thank you.


From: marina nercessian <mnercess@yahoo.com>
o: deafintl@waste.org
Subject: deafintl: pls post

Category: Community policy

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