Module 13 Let's talk about labels: CDI or DI?

Thinking critically

Don’t you find it odd that non-deaf interpreters are not commonly called CHI (certified hearing interpreters) but Deaf interpreters are called CDI? Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is the name of the certification that is issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) upon passing the associated knowledge and performance examinations.

In 2015, it was declared that the performance examination was outdated. As of 2022, the new performance examination was still in its beta stage and there was a pool of Deaf interpreters awaiting their test results. (This creates a problematic situation in which the demand for Deaf interpreters has increased especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many organizations require national certification.)

There is a very limited number of certified Deaf interpreters as compared to a high number of certified hearing interpreters. In addition, the majority of the certified Deaf interpreters are white.

Agencies will often state that an assignment requires a CDI, but often go with non-certified Deaf interpreters if the paying entities authorize that.

Points for consideration

Deaf interpreters, like non-deaf interpreters, have various certifications, credentials, and experiences.
The use of the CDI label could be excluding other certification holders that are also Deaf interpreters: RSC, BEI, state licensure, and state QA.
Non-deaf interpreters’ certifications over the years did not have their hearing status in the certification name. The insertion of the word, Deaf, is an example of “othering”.
Robert Adam (2017), a Deaf interpreter based in the United Kingdom, proposes that we all call non-deaf/Deaf interpreters by their working languages, namely ASL-English in the United States context.
Outside of the United States, Deaf interpreters are called DI.