American Sign Language-English Interpreting

Part of the Behavioral Sciences Division

The Major in American Sign Language-English 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 American Sign Language-English 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 American Sign Language-English Interpreting major. American Sign Language-English 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 American Sign Language-English Interpreting program. Such interpreters are often intermediary interpreters who work between signed communications.

The major goal of the program is to prepare graduates for entry-level professional interpretation and transliteration assignments between ASL and spoken English, contact varieties, and English-influenced sign forms and Spoken English, respectively.

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

  1. Pass the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)-Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Inc. written test
  2. Interpret between ASL and spoken English at professional job entry level
  3. Transliterate between the English-influenced sign form, often called “Conceptually Accurate Signed English”, and spoken English at professional job entry level
  4. Process and relay messages between signed contact varieties and spoken English, with the ability to language match target output to consumers at professional entry-level
  5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of interpretation and transliteration process models
  6. Demonstrate ability to analyze their own and others’ work and to provide diagnostic feedback
  7. Demonstrate ability to use digital audio visual equipment for analyzing and practicing interpretation and transliteration skills
  8. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the RID Code of Professional Conduct to their work and decision making as interpreters
  9. Demonstrate knowledge of and thoughtful response to current issues in the interpreting field
  10. Demonstrate familiarity with Deaf culture and be able to interact appropriately in non-oppressive ways with Deaf and deaf people, including collaborative problem-solving and dialogue team skills regarding interpreting assignments, and appropriate means of assessing Deaf and deaf individuals’ language preferences, hearing clients’ diversity and language preferences; assessing whether cultural adjustments are needed in the situation, application of intercultural communication, and assessing the expected text in its context, and assessing the overall situation
  11. From the point of an interpreting assignment request, be able to determine what would be necessary to appropriately complete the assignment, negotiate for what is needed, such as time to prepare, materials, pre-meetings with clients, etc.; the expected and actual demands and controls, whether to accept or decline the request, show familiarity with and ability to apply to scenarios the “NAD-RID National Interpreter Certification Test Outline Tasks and Knowledge and Skill Statements”
  12. Differentiate between the pathological-medical model and the linguistic-cultural model of Deaf and deaf people, including diversity and multilingual-multicultural mediation
  13. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of interpretation, ASL and English-influenced sign forms, and of Deaf and deaf people and their communities
  14. Be aware of community resources available to Deaf and deaf people
  15. Show knowledge and application of types of interpreting, such as team, both with Deaf and hearing interpreters, working with an advocate, deaf-blind tactile, video relay services interpreting (VRS), video remote interpreting (VRI), telephone, and oral
  16. Demonstrate knowledge and application of physical factors which influence interpreting, such as microphones, room design and arrangement, lighting, distance, audiovisuals, and VRS and VRI
  17. Be familiar with settings in which interpreters work, such as medical, educational, legal, VRS/VRI, and performing arts, and with some basic specialized ASL and English vocabulary in each
  18. Demonstrate willingness and ability to advocate for themselves as interpreters and for the interpreter role
  19. Demonstrate understanding of the role of an ally and ability to be Deaf and deaf people’s ally
  20. Demonstrate understanding of the role of a Deaf advocate and how to work with this advocate when interpreting

 The Major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting requires 51 hours with 45 hours beyond the first year ASL 110: American Sign Language I and ASL 120: American Sign Language II and six hours in related courses. Required courses include:

    ASL 203: American Sign Language III (3 hrs.)
    ASL 204: American Sign Language IV (3 hrs.)
    ASL 331: Introduction in Linguistics in ASL (3 hrs.)
    AEI 215: Translation and Interpreting Readiness (3 hrs.)
    AEI 301: Introduction to Interpreting (3 hrs.)
    AEI 302: Interpreting Skills I (3 hrs.)
    AEI 303: Interpreting Skills II (3 hrs.)
    AEI 307: History and Culture of the American Deaf Community (3 hrs.)
    AEI 311: Educational Interpreting (3 hrs.)
    AEI 321: Interpreting in Specialized Settings (3 hrs.)
    AEI 337: Internship (9-15 hrs.)
    AEI 351-52: Senior Study (6 hrs.)

Required related courses include:
    PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs.)
    PSY 306: Language Development (3 hrs.)

Strongly recommended are:
    SOC 211: Social Psychology (3 hrs.)
    SOC 215: Sociology of Marriage and Family (3 hrs.)
    PSY 211: Child Development (3 hrs.)

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 American Sign Language-English Interpreting. Major paradigms and alternate year offerings are available from major advisers.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.

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