Why study American Sign Language-English Interpreting at MC?

Maryville College developed the first bachelor’s degree program in interpreting for the languages of American Sign Language (ASL), spoken English and English-influenced forms of sign language in the United States. In this program, we have faculty members, adjuncts and staff that are actively associated with American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) and National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Our faculty members, adjuncts, and staff hold credentials and degrees in American Sign Language Interpreting and pedagogy, Deaf Education, and ASL/Deaf Studies. The ASL/AEI team combines decades worth of interpreting experience, mentoring expertise, and pedagogical practice with a passion for exemplary service to the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing community.

ASL and interpreting staff include Deaf consultants in interpreting course sessions. The curriculum is student-centered with pedagogically sound practice sessions, and individual attention to skill development. Community resources include a vibrant Deaf community, our neighbors-Tennessee School for the Deaf-local interpreting service community centers, and other employers of interpreters. A related major that focuses on the language and Deaf culture is ASL & Deaf Studies.

Sign language interpreting opens communication when people who are Deaf or Deaf-blind interact with the hearing world to buy a home, adopt a child, take a cruise, take classes, book a flight, order sushi, or interview for a job. Interpret outside at an environmental camp, youth conservation corps, summer camp, or national park. Work at a video relay center in any region of the country or interpret through video remote. The national demand for sign language interpreters far exceeds the supply. Opportunities for interpreters allow for skilled professional interpreters to direct their own businesses or thrive as staff interpreters, interpret solo or as members of interpreter teams, and specialize in different settings, such as education, health care, or legal. The major also prepares students for advanced study in Interpreting and related fields.

Photo of Precious Pressley

Precious Pressley

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennesssee

Precious chose Maryville College to study ASL due to its statement of purpose that promises to provide an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community, free from harassment and discrimination. She is involved with the College’s Sign Language Club, SLK, and attends Black Student Alliance meetings and events.

What she enjoys most about her major is “knowing that I am breaking the communication barrier(s) by being and making a positive difference in the life of others while gaining access to a whole new culture.” Precious’s goals for the future include becoming a professional educational interpreter who works with Deaf children in the Deaf community, as well as working with the adults.

 

Photo of Heimer

Anna Heimer ’21

Current: Educational Interpreter in Nebraska

After five years of previous college classes and two separate degrees, Anna decided one more degree in ASL/English Interpreting was worthwhile. MC’s ASL-EI faculty and the beautiful campus are the top two reasons she chose to enroll at the College.

“One of my professors, Angela Myers, helped me get to where I am today, and she continues to encourage me,” Anna said. “I am grateful for the professional relationships at MC that have turned into personal relationships. And I know I will always have support from the people who influenced me there. I am blessed to have been a part of such a close-knit community.”

 

Stephanie Proctor
Stephanie Proctor
Assistant Professor of American Sign Language
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William White
William White
Assistant Professor of American Sign Language - English Interpreting
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Helen Dickey
Helen Dickey
Adjunct Instructor in American Sign Language
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A major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting with appropriate certification leads to jobs in interpreting for the Deaf. The major is also appropriate for a variety of careers that involve working with and for the Deaf Community. An advanced degree may be required for some vocational areas.

Job Placements

Alabama Department of Mental Health Central Office
University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Community Advocacy Network
East Tennessee Technology Access Center
Knoxville Center of the Deaf
Knox County Schools
Pellissippi State Technical Community College
Sign Language Specialists of Western PA, Inc.
Sorenson Communications

Graduate School Placements

Gallaudet University
George Mason University
University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville Center of the Deaf

Knoxville Tennessee Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Tennessee Association of the Deaf (Knoxville)

Tennessee School for the Deaf

Sorenson Video Relay Center, Knoxville

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 video 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:

  • Pass the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)-Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Inc. written test
  • Interpret between ASL and spoken English at professional job entry level
  • Transliterate with language matching between the English-influenced sign form, often called “Conceptually Accurate Signed English”, and spoken English at professional job entry level
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge of interpretation and transliteration process models
  • Demonstrate ability to analyze their own and others’ work and to provide diagnostic feedback
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of the RID Code of Professional Conduct to their work and decision making as interpreters
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and thoughtful response to current issues in the interpreting field
  • 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
  • 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”
  • Differentiate between the pathological-medical model and the linguistic-cultural model of Deaf and deaf people, including diversity and multilingual-multicultural mediation
  • 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
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of physical factors which influence interpreting, such as microphones, room design and arrangement, lighting, distance, audiovisuals, and VRS and VRI
  • 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
  • Demonstrate willingness and ability to advocate for themselves as interpreters and for the interpreter role
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role of an ally and ability to be Deaf and deaf people’s ally
  • 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 57 hours beyond elementary American Sign Language (ASL 110: American Sign Language I and ASL 120: American Sign Language II). A double major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting and American Sign Language and Deaf Studies is not permitted.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

ASL 107: History and Culture of the American Deaf Community(3 hrs)
ASL 203: American Sign Language III(4 hrs)
ASL 204: American Sign Language IV(4 hrs)
ASL 299: Issues in Professional Development(1 hrs)
ASL 305: American Sign Language V(3 hrs)
ASL 331: Introduction to Linguistics of ASL(3 hrs)
AEI 301: Introduction to Interpreting(3 hrs)
AEI 302: Interpreting Skills I(4 hrs)
AEI 303: Interpreting Skills II(4 hrs)
AEI 305: Interpreting Skills III(4 hrs)
AEI 337: Internship(0-15 hrs)
AEI 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
AEI 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)
AEI 401: Seminar on American Sign Language-English Interpreting(3 hrs)
PSY 101: Introductory Psychology(3 hrs)

One of the following courses:

PSY 211: Child Development(3 hrs)
PSY 221: Social Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 224: Cross-Cultural Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 228: Human Sexuality(3 hrs)

A supervised internship in an approved off-campus agency is an essential part of the major program. Internship 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 advisors.

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

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