About Interpreting
Sign language interpreting is a fascinating, challenging and rapidly expanding field that offers an endless variety of opportunities and rich linguistic and cultural experiences.
What is Interpreting?
Sign language interpreters bridge the communication gap between people who use sign language and people who use a spoken language.
They can work in a wide variety of settings: business, educational, medical, legal, government or social service agencies, religious, video relay or performing arts.
Interpreters are highly skilled in both English and American Sign Language. They transmit signed messages into spoken English and spoken messages into American Sign Language.
For more information, see the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf's article on Professional Sign Language Interpreting. (PDF)
What is American Sign Language?
ASL is the visual language used by many deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the United States and many parts of Canada.
ASL is very different from English—it is a complete language with its own grammar and syntax.
For more information, see the National Association of the Deaf's definition of ASL
Why Interpreting?
The demand for interpreters is greater than the supply, so there are many employment opportunities.
Interpreting is rewarding : you will work with people and develop relationships.
Interpreting is flexible : you can be employed on staff at an agency or choose to work for yourself and set your own hours.
Interpreting is interesting : you can work in a wide array of settings.
Interpreting is challenging : you will be able to continue growing as a lifelong learner.
How does the ASL-English Interpretation program prepare me for a career in interpreting?
It enables you to gain a firm foundation in American Sign Language.
It helps you develop cognitive and ethical decision-making skills.
It provides you basic socio-cultural knowledge needed to serve as a cross-cultural mediator.
It provides you with more than 200 hours of field experience working with professional interpreters.
It enables you to meet the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf’s requirement that candidates for certification must possess a bachelor’s degree by 2012.
It provides you with a solid foundation on which to develop the skills needed to pass professional certification exams.
