Sign Language/Interpreting

Associate Professor Margaret Maher, Coordinator

The Major in Sign Language Interpreting prepares students to work as professional interpreters and transliterators with Deaf and with hard-of-hearing persons in a variety of situations. While American Sign Language serves as a foundation, several other modes of communication used by the Deaf community are introduced as well. Audio-visual materials are accessible for individual study of a broad cross-section of communication methods. Interactions with Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and regular practice using videotaping equipment are principal means for the development of skills. The curriculum prepares students to interpret between spoken English and American Sign Language and to transliterate between conceptually accurate signed English and spoken English. Success in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies or Sign Language Interpreting requires being able to perceive signers’ faces, hand movements and body movements and being able to convey and receive ASL through these channels quickly at the natural pace of language. Also essential are ability to perceive and process visual information and eye-hand coordination that allow effective communication. A good foundation in basic ASL is critical to advancing successfully in the ASL and Deaf Studies major as well as the Sign Language Interpreting major. Sign Language Interpreting majors require good auditory perceptual skills as well as good visual skills when working between auditory and signed communications quickly and in real time. One exception is that Deaf people who want to become Deaf interpreters are encouraged to apply to the Sign Language Interpreting program. Such interpreters are often intermediary interpreters who work between signed communications.

The Major in Sign Language Interpreting requires 51 hours with 45 hours beyond the first year ASL 110 and 120 courses in the major and six hours in related courses. Major courses which are required are ASL 203, 204, and 331; SLI 215, 301, 302, 303, 307, 311, 321, 337, and 351-52. Required related courses are Psychology 101 and 306. Sociology 211, 215 and Psychology 211 are strongly recommended. A supervised internship in an approved off-campus agency is an essential part of the major program. Internships and practicum requirements, limited class enrollments, and the necessity of offering some classes in alternate years, demand very careful planning by students majoring in American Sign Language and Sign Language Interpreting. Major paradigms and alternate year offerings are available from major advisers.

Course Descriptions

215. Translation and Interpreting Readiness
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: American Sign Language 203 or permission of the instructor
This course provides necessary transition from sign communication to interpretation between ASL and English. Course content includes written, spoken, and signed translation exercises. Outside study consists of individual and group assignments, laboratory skills taping, finger spelling and numbers practice, and English vocabulary and syntax development. Students learn and use the interpreting mental process models and work between ASL and spoken English from the sentence level to short discourse texts.
301. Introduction to Interpreting
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: American Sign Language 203 or permission of the instructor
A survey of the major areas of the interpreting profession, philosophical frames, service models, cross-cultural mediation, the code of ethics, and interpreting techniques. A knowledge-based rather than an interpreting skills-based course.
302-303. Interpreting Skills I and II
3 credit hours each
Prerequisite: Interpreting 215
The first course emphasizes developing skills with prepared interpreting and transliterating using audio and video media. The second course progresses to spontaneous interpreting and transliterating skill development. Expressive and receptive skills are developed in both courses. Study for the courses consists of group and pair skills practice as well as interpreting practice and receptive and expressive taping in the laboratory.
307. History and Culture of the American Deaf Community
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor
The history of Deaf people in the Western world, with emphasis on the American Deaf community and the status of Deaf people as both a linguistic and cultural minority. Designed for individuals who may or may not have had prior experience with Deaf people, the course raises questions concerning the nature of sign language and its various categories, the education of Deaf people, the historical treatment of deafness, and the sociological and cultural makeup of Deaf individuals.
311. Educational Interpreting
3 credit hours
Prerequisite or co-requisite: Interpreting 301 or with permission of the instructor
This course surveys the educational setting, introduces processed conceptually accurate sign systems and other sign systems, outlines the history of the field, the impact of legislation, and as available provides educational interpreting observation and practice. Interpreting and transliteration skills labs consist of children’s recordings and educational setting-related recorded texts.
321. Comparative Interpreting
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and Interpreting 302
Specialized areas of interpreting covered include legal, medical/mental health, deaf-blind, and oral. Attention is given to the vocabulary peculiar to each area, through the use of guest lecturers, taped materials, skills laboratories, and visits to off-campus sites.
337. Internship
9 to 15 credit hours
Prerequisite: Interpreting 303
A practical experience in an approved facility under the supervision of an interpreter certified by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or through NAD-RID. Internships require a time commitment equivalent to full-time employment, with credit allotted on the basis of one credit hour for each week of full-time involvement.
343. Practicum
3 credit hours
Practical experience in a professional environment with supervision by an agency staff person approved by department faculty. One credit hour is associated with each three hours of work every week for a 14-week semester.
349. Seminar
3 credit hours
Selected topics in deaf studies/interpreting. Offered as demand warrants.
351-352. Senior Study
6 credit hours
Prerequisites: FRS 140, English Proficiency Exam and junior standing
The Senior Study requirement is fulfilled with this two-course sequence. Independent study with the guidance of a faculty supervisor, with an emphasis on skills-based projects.