Abstract

This article explores the concept of e-professionalism—an expansion of the professionalism paradigm to include behaviors and attitudes displayed in online environments—as it may relate to signed language interpreters. The rising importance of e-professionalism is illustrated by examining research showing increasing participation in online social networking activities across all generations of society and the possibility of a shifting cultural landscape online. The concept of small world ethics is applied to the Deaf community, and it is argued that the new cyber culture is rendering an already small community metaphorically even smaller via social media. It is argued that there is a need for more formal research into how social media is impacting the interpreting profession, and there is a call for interpreter educators to proactively incorporate e-professionalism into interpreter training and continuing professional development programs. The article concludes with considerations to foster professional usage of SNS and a reminder that while the avoidance of unprofessional online behaviors is one component, e-professionalism awareness should also incorporate knowledge of how the power of social media can be effectively harnessed to an individual’s professional advantage.

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Citation: Best, Brett A. (2016) “E-Professionalism and Signed Language Interpreters: Considering Social Media, Online Disclosure, and Small World Ethics,” Journal of Interpretation: Vol. 25 : Iss. 1 , Article 2.

Brandon Arthur

Brandon Arthur is a lover of life and considers himself very fortunate. He is the Founder of Street Leverage and is a passionate social entrepreneur within the field of sign language interpreting. Brandon is a nationally certified interpreter and has worked on both the practicing and business sides of the field for the past 20 years. He earned a B.S. degree in Psychology and a Minor in Business from George Mason University. His father is Deaf and his mother is a sign language interpreter. Brandon is a devoted father and husband and enjoys the sport of triathlon.

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