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INTRODUCTION TO AA
Background
Although it happens frequently in society today, it is still abnormal
for a person to have a problem with drinking requiring outside help.
Further, there is stigma among the general public towards people who
cannot handle their drinking. This is usually attributed to negative
behaviours people engage in when they drink too much.
Alcoholics Anonymous has it's own cultural norms and values.
Collectively, the group believes self-diagnosis is the only real diagnosis;
in self-diagnosis, there is a recognition and realization of the problem,
and only then can a person work towards the solution. A person is
considered to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous after they declare
themselves a member, and this is a norm for the group. It would be
difficult to learn all the rules and language of the group after just one
meeting.
Topic Selection Process
It was not difficult to select my topic. I have a personal interest in
the substance abuse/recovery field. On a deeper level, I am interested
because I have seen the influence Alcoholics Anonymous has had on the
lives of suffering alcoholics, and the hope and solution it has to offer. I
am also aware that there are few interpreters willing and available to
interpret in this setting. Recently, this severe need was even recognized
by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing when
they made the opportunity available for non-screened, non-certified
interpreters to work and get paid in this setting.
Purpose
Alcoholics Anonymous is a sub-culture within the general American
population. AA has its own values, specialized language, text materials,
and goals. The most important goal of this high context society is to fully
abstain from alcohol consumption, but there is a fundamentally deeper
meaning to 'sobriety' for AA members. This paper provides and overview
of the various types of meetings, and the course of a "typical" AA
meeting: the setting, scene, participants and discourse, shared goals,
sequence of events, key, channels, norms of interaction, and genre.
Following, a meeting with the addition of a Deaf person and an
interpreter is discussed focusing on the same issues. Finally, the
influence and ramifications of the additions in the presentation of the
scenarios are presented and specifically discussed.
It is the writer's hope that the reader walks away with the
realization that interpreting in a 12-step meeting is not the lowlanguage-level task it is often perceived to be. There are inherent
challenges that are deeply rooted in this environment, and this job must
be taken very seriously. Preparation is a must: reading the Big Book,
watching it on videotape (it takes up five 8-hour videotapes), learning
how AA members talk, and then how Deaf AA members talk, and more.

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According to Deaf AA members, Deaf people in recovery depend on
AA meetings and the interpreted meeting the same way they would
entering an emergency room. However, results are generally not seen
quickly, which can be frustrating for the interpreter.
Research Process
The writer's goal in researching 12-step meetings is to find out the
truth. The way AA is portrayed on TV, and the experience of AA members
is very different. What is the truth? What actually happens there? And if
it is anonymous, how would the people feel about an interpreter
attending? The results are that TV has a lot to learn about AA. There is so
much more to it than is ever shown!
Research was done through observations, interviews with members,
both hearing and Deaf, interviews with interpreters who work in this
setting, and through collecting and reading related literature. Research
was done very carefully, as to be respectful of the subject matter and the
anonymity of the interviewed participants. When an AA member's
confidence has been won (Deaf and hearing), they will generally talk
freely about themselves and their experiences. I attribute this ease to
both the Deaf and hearing interviewees being from the same type of high
context sub-culture. I interviewed both male and female interpreters
who are also members. Both of them seemed to expect direct, focused
questions, and they did not go into more detail or offer any more
information than what was requested in the question.
The Setting
Types of Meetings
Open
All are welcome, but discussion must be confined to
problems dealing with alcohol.
Closed

Discussion

Attendance is limited to those who have a desire to stop

drinking. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, you
are welcome at the meeting. Still, discussion must be
confined to problems dealing with alcohol.

Someone (most often, the meeting chairperson) picks a

topic related to alcoholism or recovery for discussion.
Big Book Study
After a reading from the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, a
topic from the reading is discussed, as it relates to
alcoholism.
Step Study
After a reading from the book, Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions, the '12 x 12', a topic from the reading is
discussed, as it relates to alcoholism.

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Special Interest Groups
Gay, Young People's, Men's, Women's, etc.- Where members
identify with others. These are not the "core" groups of AA,
and some members even oppose their existence because
they say they are "exclusive", rather than "all inclusive".
The third tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous states, "The
only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop
drinking."
Course of a "typical" AA Meeting
Just like anything else these days, there is no "typical" meeting. Expect
the unexpected.
Setting
The setting can basically be anywhere. Some members set up
clubhouses, where the only thing that happens there are meetings and
fellowship. Usually, signs are put up on the wall: banners with the 12
steps and 12 traditions, plaques with slogans, meeting times and
announcements of AA related events on the walls. There is always coffee,
and people freely fill their cups during the meeting. There is excitement
for new people experiencing continued days of sobriety. Group sizes
vary. There are members as young as 10 years old, and others who are
very old. The median is around 40 to 50 years old. The ratio of males to
females seems to be roughly 65% to 35%, respectively. There is not a
huge amount of racial diversity, but it is present. Alcoholism knows no
racial, geographic, socioeconomic or any other borders; there are
wealthy members, people who look as if they live on the streets, and
everything in between.
Scene
An AA meeting can take place anywhere. Interpreters must be ready
to deal with logistical issues constantly. The atmosphere is varied, and
there is representation of a high context sub-culture who have their own
language, set of rules and values, and much "in-group" language: The
Big Book-the fond name by members of their basic text, Alcoholics
Anonymous, chips, acronyms- GSR, ICYPAA, DCM, idiomatic and
metaphorical language-"Keep it simple," "Let go and let God," "If you
turn it over, but don't let go, you end up upside-down", the steps and
traditions and language attached to that, sponsorship, etc. AA members
roll these terms and slogans off their tongues quickly and frequently.
After a person attends the same meeting for a period of time, the
norm and expectation is that the group members will get to know the
person and their "story" (past) well. It is hoped that the person will get
to know the group members intimately, as well. When a person makes a
commitment to attend a meeting on a regular basis, it is sometimes
called their home group. Most people are attentive toward others when
they are speaking. They seem to laugh at seemingly tragic stories
because of their shared experiences. This happens because participants
are relating to one another's experiences or because they are
uncomfortable with what is frankly being discussed.

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Participants and Discourse
The participants are people who believe they have a drinking
problem; it is agreed among the group that no member can diagnose
anothers alcoholism. The chairperson, who signs up in advance or is
chosen by the group, is actively involved with the discourse of the
meeting: making the decision to start the meeting with a moment of
silence (for the "still suffering alcoholic"), followed by the Serenity
Prayer, reading of the Preamble (the group's mission statement), making
announcements, leading the Lord's Prayer, etc. The chairperson, as
decided by the group, must have at least 90 days of continuous sobriety.
Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking can "share" (speak). Some
passive participants may be asked to speak and politely decline, "I'm just
listening today."
Speakers participate actively. Members also participate actively by
clapping when a person picks up a chip (representing a set length of
continuous sobriety decided upon by the group: 24 hours to 29 days, 30
days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, and multiples of
years). Active participation also includes back channelling: nodding in
agreement, smiling, ummms, gasps, etc. The group believes that people
who have drinking problems as bad as theirs cannot stay sober alone.
Thus, participation is shown passively by people who are present, but do
not share, and discussion is tacitly restricted to personal experience,
strength, and hope. It is suggested that advice not be given. The group
believes that alcoholics do not like to be told what to do, so group
members make "suggestions" to one another, rather than requiring that
someone do something.
All participants are supposed to have equal potential to have an
impact on the others present, but this is sometimes an area of
contention. Things that impact some members of the group may not
impact others, and vice versa. In teasing and disagreements between
members, sometimes the justification of being right is, "I have more time
[sober] than you!"
"Old timers," those with many years of continuous sobriety (exactly
how many years varies) are revered by the group, and anything they say
is regarded to be of high truth and stature. They usually know most of
the people in the room (so they easily recognize a new person), and
seem self-assured and happy.
Next, there are those with a few years continuous sobriety. They are
expected to be mentally and emotionally stable. They should know,
understand, and respect the rules and language accepted by the group
and have the ability to understand and act on intuition. One reason for
the high expectations of people with longer continuous sobriety is that
their emotional growth begins again when they enter AA.
"Newcomers" are people with less than 30 days sober up to a year,
or people who have recently come back to AA after a relapse, are also
highly cherished. They show the recovering members of AA that active
alcoholics are continuing to suffer from alcoholism "out there." They
generally look like they feel uncomfortable and unsure of themselves,
although they may handle themselves arrogantly when others are
watching.

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One clich for this behaviour is, "An egomaniac with an inferiority
complex." For example; if a person has been sober for 15 days, they are
expected to be on an emotional roller coaster. They are apt to make bad
decisions, not know how to take care of themselves, and need lots of
guidance and direction. Some have lots of repressed anger and
resentment towards the world in general, and lack in patience, they are
not expected to know or understand all the rules and language accepted
by the group. The groups believe that these behaviours are a result of
emotional growth being stunted when the person started drinking
alcoholically, so naturally, they do not know how to deal with these
things.
Some new members think AA is a cult. There is a point in the
meeting that "New Comers" and those with under 30 days continuous
sobriety are asked to introduce themselves, not as a means to single
them out, but to welcome them into the group. Many times, expectations
of a person's mental and emotional stability are related to how long an
individual has been continuously sober. Hopefully, they work the 12
steps, which help the individual with their problems related to their
alcoholic drinking. It is expected that the new person will pick up on the
rules of the group tacitly and quickly.
Shared Goals
Ideally, the overt goal is directly stated in the Preamble of Alcoholics
Anonymous, and is the same among all participants: recovery from
alcoholism. The success rate is actually about 1 in 10, according to the
General Service Office, (GSO), of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Covert goals include desires among members to save relationships,
fix damaged financial situations, stay out of jail, appease court judges,
get out of driving under the influence offenses, keep jobs, meet people,
get children back, become happier, and many others. Because of covert
goals, there is sometimes conflict with the group's "singleness of
purpose" to stay sober. There is also conflict with overt and covert goals
when a person, not desiring to stay sober, is ordered by court to attend
meetings in order to complete their sentence. The group believes that the
number one priority is staying sober, and if that is successfully done,
covert goals will "fall in place" by themselves, or be taken care of by
their Higher Powers, which some choose to call God. Covert goals are not
encouraged by the group.
The group collectively agrees and believes that if a person reads the
Big Book and works the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with the
guidance of a sponsor (someone who has already done all of these
things), continually goes to meetings, finds a higher power, or power
greater than themselves, and other things the group suggests, the
person who is new to the group will greatly improve their chances of
staying sober.

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Sequence of Events
The chairperson is in charge of taking care of conflicts and
difficulties, when and if, they happen and asking people to stop talking if
they are diverting from the topic, or speaking too long. The chairperson
has control over the discourse of the meeting: the meeting starts with
him/her calling out, "My name is ________, and I am an alcoholic." This
is followed by a moment of silence, the Serenity Prayer, reading of the
Preamble, announcements, leading the Lord's Prayer, etc.
When it is time for another member to share, it is done either by
raising hands and being recognized by the chair, or just calling out, "My
name is ________, and I am an alcoholic." All people are expected to
introduce themselves in this same manner and be attentive toward
others when they are sharing. This is how one is expected to introduce
themselves before speaking. If someone does not do this, another
member will shout out, "Who are you?" because it goes against the tacit
format of the meeting for a person to start speaking until they have
identified themselves in this way. Turn-taking is valued by the
participants; while one person is sharing, others listen attentively, and
cross-talk (talking while another is talking or asking direct, expansion
questions) is not allowed by the group.
Some language commonly used within the group has been adopted
from the steps, traditions, or the Big Book: arouse (meaning "create"),
amends, higher power, moral inventory, powerlessness (discussed as a
positive thing), etc. Language used by participants ranges from higher
registers to incoherent. Language and discussions are restricted to
problems as they relate to alcoholism. There is a lot of incidental learning
("Read the book! Call your sponsor! Go to 90 meetings in 90 days!" etc.)
that takes place, usually before and after the meeting. The rules and
language of the group is reinforced by member discussions and
behaviours, usually before and after the meeting, although sometimes
education in this capacity happens during the meeting. One does not
have to be directly involved in communication to hear and see things
related to their recovery from alcoholism in AA meetings.
Key
Any range of emotions may be displayed and thoughts expressed by
individual members during a typical meeting: anger, fear, laughing,
crying, arrogance, jealousy, complacency, happiness, the list could go on
ad infinitum. This group of people believe that any of these emotions
could cause them to take a drink, and that their drinking problems are
related to the fact that while drinking, any or all of these emotions were
repressed. For the same reasons, any range of emotions may be
discussed during the meeting: homicidal feelings , suicidal feelings ,
resentment, acceptance, willingness, honesty, faith, open-mindedness,
humility, gratitude, happiness, freedom, loving, security, etc.

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Channels
Speaking is the channel used for discourse during the meeting,
however there are deviations. The Big Book is usually read from and
referenced throughout the meeting, or there will be references to the
"12x12," a book that explains the 12 steps and traditions in greater
detail. It is separate from the Big Book. When a person is speaking, eye
contact of the participants is focused on the speaker, although some
people look at the ceiling, the tables, their fingers, or elsewhere.
Participants engage in back channeling behaviors while others are
speaking: nodding in agreement, smiling, ummms, quietly giggling, etc.
Members are fond of sharing "speaker tapes" with one another. A
speaker tape is a tape of an AA member telling "their story" of what their
experience drinking alcoholically was like, what happened while they
were drinking and the circumstances that brought them to AA, and what
it is like now. This is the normal way of interacting. Although there are
slight deviations, anything that deviates too much from this is considered
by the group to be abnormal. However, anything except drinking is
acceptable in AA.
Norms of Interaction
Although more true for women than men, hugging is commonplace,
even when members do not know each other well. There is not much
handshaking. Unless you are new to AA, if you do not engage in hugging,
it is thought that there is something 'wrong' with you. The new person
may, or may not, engage in hugging. If a person is new, they are
excused. Hugging is not meant to harm, but to welcome a person into the
group. Also, when a person is new to AA and does not have much
continuous sobriety, physical proximity distances are greater, and this is
understood and respected by the group. There does not seem to be as
much physical space required for comfort while members are in the AA
group as they require when they are not with other AA members.
It is taboo to get a sponsor of the opposite gender, although it does
happen. Within the group, fostering relationships with all people is
encouraged, but it is suggested for the women to be supported by the
women, and the men to be supported by the men. This is especially true
during the first year of continuous sobriety and during difficult times.
This is also true with the role of sponsorship.
No one is ever banished from the group, according to the group's
agreed upon traditions. Most of the people had never met before they
met in Alcoholics Anonymous. There are exceptions of people who had
drank together, but a clich among group members is that, they are
"people who normally would not mix." The fact that alcoholism is a
disease is a constant unifying factor.

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Genre
Text of Serenity Prayer and Lord's Prayer is frozen, although there is
one variation in the Lord's Prayer. Some members say "our daily
strength," instead of "our daily bread." During readings of the 12th
tradition, many people will say, along with the chair, "principles before
personalities" when it is read. Language is monologic and testimonial,
"This is what happened to me, and this is how I stayed sober through it."
Sometimes, language is questioning, "This is what I am experiencing,
what did you (being the whole group) do to stay sober when this
happened to you?" As is usual in a high context culture, shared
experience is the norm. All members may have different details, but
feelings that brought the individual to AA are understood to be shared,
although no ONE member speaks for AA.
Addition of a Deaf Person and an Interpreter
Background
A Deaf person has "hit their bottom" (members reference to the
epiphany that brings a person to AA) and wants to go to Alcoholics
Anonymous. There are few interpreted meetings of AA. The Deaf people I
interviewed voiced some apprehension in going to AA due to the
grapevine effect among the DEAF-WORLD. They also discussed difficulty
in the fact that "non-alcoholic" interpreters are sometimes not welcome
at closed meetings. Interpreters should be prepared to defend the Code
of Ethics and your profession. The group's decision is made by the entire
group, not just one person, but it may be helpful to get there early to
help deflate the issue.
For discussion purposes, it is assumed that the Deaf person attends
this meeting on a regular basis with an interpreter and has declared him
or herself to be a member of the group. Also for discussion purposes, we
will assume the Deaf member being discussed is male. Hereafter, this
person will be referred to as, "Deaf member." The other members have
gotten to know him, and he has been sober in AA for some time. He is
familiar with the rules for interaction and the language used. The
interpreter has experience with AA meetings and its intricacies.
Setting
Setting does not differ with the addition of a Deaf person.
Scene
The first noticeable deviation from this "typical" meeting is the
addition of a Deaf person and the interpreter. American culture tends to
be low-context. AA is a high context culture, and members bring their
primary culture into the picture, as well. With the addition of the Deaf
person, there is an addition of yet another high context culture. The
interpreter has a cultural influence, as well. The meeting can be
influenced culturally each time there is a different speaker. From a
cultural influence vantage point, things can get culturally "confusing." An
interpreter is advised to be clear about their own values, morals, and
ethics.

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When the group's response is to laugh at "seemingly tragic stories,"
an interpreter must be prepared for this. Remembering that this is
happening because participants are relating to one another's experiences
or because they are uncomfortable with what is frankly being discussed
and these people are trying not to live this way anymore may help. An
interpreter can easily change the environment by having a negative
reaction to something they hear.
Participants and Discourse
The participants are still the same.
Those who speak are actively participating. The Deaf member
participates with active involvement, the same way hearing members do,
and will most-likely share during meetings. The Deaf member can
actively participate by clapping when a person picks up a chip.
Interpreters are advised that specialized language used by the group are
also represented by specific signs. A Deaf member who is familiar with
the terminology will most likely use these specialized signs, so the
interpreter can be prepared. In addition, the interpreter needs to make
themselves available to interpret everything they hear because of the
incidental learning that takes place before and after the meeting (i.e.,
"Read the book! Call your sponsor! Go to 90 meetings in 90 days ! " etc.).
Language of the group is reinforced by members' discussions and
behaviours during and after the meeting.
Overt and covert goals must be reflected appropriately in the
interpretation, so the Deaf member can properly identify their own goals.
According to other interpreters, this can be a place of their own bias, as
desire for the Deaf member to succeed can cloud the interpretation.
Sequence of Events
The sequence of events in not altered because a Deaf member chairs.
The Deaf member chairs meetings as regularly as anyone else in the
group. If someone is being disruptive, the interpreter must convey this
information so the chair can handle it appropriately.
The interpreter must decide whether or not to voice comments made
by the Deaf person if they choose to violate the turn-taking rules
established by the group. It is not the interpreter's responsibility to
answer questions or protect the Deaf member for something that may
potentially be embarrassing.
Key
Emotions expressed vocally but not overtly in body language must be
interpreted. One way this can be done is to say, "It seems like he is
crying." This is important in maintaining the content and spirit of the
speaker. If a Deaf person is on an emotional roller coaster, the voicing
interpretation needs to reflect this, as well. Members may want to talk
with them after the meeting.

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Channels
Speaking is the channel used for discourse during the meeting,
however there are deviations. American Sign Language is used by the
Deaf member, and indirect eye-contact may be frustrating or irritating to
the Deaf member. The Big Book and the "12x12" have been translated
onto videotape by a Deaf man. They are available from the General
Service Office of AA. It is a good idea for an interpreter to be familiar
with these in case the Deaf member makes a reference from these texts,
so that it can be voiced accordingly. Obviously, the Deaf member does
not participate in sharing speaker tapes.
Norms of Interaction
The addition of a Deaf person maintains the group belief that they
are "people who normally would not mix." The Deaf member attending
the meeting with the interpreter participates in a similar fashion as the
hearing members of the group. The Deaf member has the ability to relate
to the shared experience of the members, and considers him or herself to
be a part of the inner core of the group. The norms of interaction will
change simply because of the addition of a Deaf person and an
interpreter, however, the spirit of the meeting does not change.
Genre
The interpretation should stay true to the spirit and integrity of the
interpretation, it may be testimonial or questioning. If a voice to sign
interpretation has been accurate, most likely a Deaf member would also
follow the linguistic format of using "we," instead of "I." When the Deaf
member shares, voicing needs to reflect the spirit, because emotions are
so highly valued by this sub-culture.
Scenarios
(background information)
Setting
In AA circles, the scenario is in a normal place for an AA meeting.
The make-up of this meeting is considered "typical," taking into
consideration the gender factor, the race factor, the age factor, and
others.
Scene
The Scene is typical, even with the addition of a Deaf person and
interpreter. If a Deaf person came to a meeting without an interpreter, it
is likely that the entire meeting could pass without knowledge that a
Deaf person was there (not only because of the "invisible disability"
factor. It is common, Deaf and hearing alike). This is because sometimes
people, even new people, come and go without ever being noticed. This
certainly would not be the case if a Deaf person showed up with an
interpreter.

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The Deaf member can grasp the psychological feel of the meeting,
and be in tune with it because of the behaviours members display as a
participants, even though they get the information second hand through
the interpreter. When the Deaf member arrives at the meeting with an
interpreter, it usually takes time for the other members to become
comfortable with the presence of and using an interpreter. It may be
awkward and difficult at first, but it becomes easier with time. It should
be noted that a Deaf person attending may feel very isolated and alone.
These feelings are common among ALL alcoholics. If the interpretation
isn't accurate and does not stay true to the terminology, content, and
spirit of the speaker's message, the Deaf person could feel even more left
out.
Participants and Discourse
Members behave in a manner appropriate and acceptable to their
group, and the covert "social mores" need to be passed to the Deaf
person through the interpretation. The chairperson is supposed to have
90 days continuous sobriety because it is supposedly an indication of
stability and commitment. The Deaf member can participate fully and
have full understanding, provided the interpreter is dedicated to
rendering the message faithfully.
The reason for using "we," as in, "we are powerless over...," when
speaking is to indicate shared experience and that one is not alone in
their fight against alcoholism. This type of communication is common
among high context cultures. The interpreter would hopefully make this
a part of her interpretation, as the concept is integral to the group's
goals. The Deaf member attending the meeting with an interpreter would
have potential to impact the group when sharing because the other
participants would have the opportunity to hear what the Deaf member
had to say. A Deaf person who has attended AA meetings for some time
is most likely aware of language adopted by and used within the group.
It can be expected and assumed that a Deaf member who is aware of the
linguistic differences of the group will use specialized vocabulary freely
and comfortably when chatting and sharing in the meeting.
The Deaf member should have as much access to incidental
information as possible. The interpreter needs to plan to "come early and
stay late" as many of the members do. The interpreter should interpret
all incidental information if s/he is not already interpreting something
else.
Shared Goals
A member is made aware of covert goals and the conflict with the
overt goals by paying attention to what is being said in the meeting. The
Deaf member would be made aware of these during the interpretation.
Because the overt goal is stated in the Preamble, all members should be
fully aware of the overt goals of the group. The Deaf member would have
access to this information, provided the meanings of the specialized
language is included in the interpretation. The Deaf member will learn
covert and overt goals of the group over time, in the same way a hearing
member of the group would, but through the interpretation.

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Sequence of Events
All members introduce themselves with "My name is _________, and
I am an alcoholic." Hearing members learn how the sequence of events
unfolds over time by attending meetings, and a Deaf person would learn
the same way. It is believed by members that recovery from alcoholism
is a life and death matter.
Turn taking is highly valued by the group, this information could be
learned the same way for a Deaf or hearing member. A Deaf member
would know that if a person does not introduce themselves in the
manner dictated by the group, they are teased with the, "Who are you?"
comment discussed above. A Deaf member would learn that they will be
interrupted by the chair if they are diverting from the topic, speaking too
long, etc. In the interpretation of the meeting, the Deaf member should
be able to enjoy the variances in registers and styles of the speakers.
Through the interpreter, the Deaf member would be able to use the
common language and "buzz" words of the group. A Deaf person learns
the suggested linguistic restrictions of the group.
Key
The group believes that much of their drinking "careers" were
defined by not dealing with emotions. The Deaf member accesses this
information through the interpreter, and the interpretation should
include overt and covert information. A Deaf member would have the
benefit of being able to share their emotions, as they related to
alcoholism, and listen to the other members discuss theirs.
As the group has expectations that new people will tacitly pick up on
the expectations of the group, a Deaf member attending the meeting
with an interpreter should still be allowed to pick up on these, some
through the interpretation, some not. The interpreter decides what is and
is not interpreted. A Deaf member attending the meeting with an
interpreter could interact with the other members, offering guidance and
direction to the newer members, and sharing what they have learned
from their time in AA. The Deaf member also has a greater opportunity to
learn and grow within the group.
Channels
Speaking and American Sign Language are the channels used in the
scenario. After time to adjust to this type of communication, hearing
members of the group will become comfortable, even with a "nonalcoholic" interpreter. It can be anticipated that the Deaf member will
use the language used by the group because they have probably paid
attention for some time in meetings, and watched the Big Book on
videotape in ASL. Many Deaf (and hearing) members of AA are not able
to clearly understand the written version of the Big Book, because it is
written in English from the 1930's.

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One thing that was explicitly expressed by both interviewed
interpreters was the perceived difficulty they were having establishing
communication with a Deaf person who was new to AA. They both spoke
of their eyes being like "black holes." They explained that there was
virtually no back channelling that would lead them to believe they were
interpreting clearly, being understood, or needed to modify linguistic
styles-nothing. They both said that when they asked if they were clear,
the answer was a nod, "yes," and after some time passed, there was
increasingly more back channelling behaviours.
Norms of Interaction
The Deaf member has the opportunity to understand the significance
of hugging among group members and is comfortable and respectful of
the group's hugging norms. S/He is considered to be part of the inner
circle. The Deaf member is aware of, and respectful of the group's values.
The Deaf member learns from the group about sponsorship and that the
men are to "stick with" the men, women are to "stick with" the women.
This would be learned in the same way for a hearing member-over time.
Genre
The Deaf member and the interpreter can participate in the Serenity
Prayer and Lord's Prayer using ASL. Most often, the group is seated
during the Serenity Prayer, and circled up holding hands during the
Lord's Prayer. The interpreter can interpret the Serenity Prayer from the
place they are interpreting from, and stand just in front of the Deaf
member, but inside the circle for the Lord's Prayer. The interpretation
should keep up during these prayers. There is a chant of, "Keep Coming
Back!" after the Lord's prayer. The Deaf member most likely would not
participate by calling aloud "principles before personalities" is when it is
read during the meeting because of lag. This is no big deal to the group.
Discussion
Many of these behaviours and linguistic differences are learned over
time. Certainly, for a Deaf person, they would be acquired and learned
easier through an interpreter. Again, it should be stressed that it often
takes hearing people some time to learn the group's norm, value, and
differences in language use, as well. It should be obvious that the
interpretation is important in learning the aspects of interaction that
takes place on many different levels. It can be assumed that it would
take longer for a Deaf member to learn and become comfortable with the
AA group's interactions than it would for a hearing person who has a
direct channel and access to incidental learning. However, they would
still have the ability to feel a part of, and on the same level, in the same
manner as hearing members of the group over time.