Based on a article written by Christine Smith,
Coordinator Georgia Perimeter College Interpreter Training Program.
and http://rid.org/terpfaq.html
What does an Tri-Lingual Interpreter do?
It takes a considerable amount of training to become proficient
in three languages. American Sign Language/Spoken English/And
Spoken Spanish, Interpreters are highly skilled professionals.
They must be able to listen to another person's words, inflections
and intent and simultaneously render them into the visual language
of signs using the mode of communication preferred by the deaf
consumer. The interpreter must also be able to comprehend the
signs, inflections and intent of the deaf consumer and simultaneously
speak them in articulate, appropriate English. They must understand
all three cultures in which they work and apply that knowledge
to promote effective cross-cultural communications.
What is the job market for Tri- Lingual Interpreters?
Sign language interpreting is a rapidly expanding field. Schools,
government agencies, and private businesses employ interpreters.
Interpreters work in a variety of settings including medical,
legal, religious, mental health, rehabilitation, performing arts,
and business. Part-time, full-time, freelance and salaried positions
are available in most metropolitan areas across the country. Video
Relay Services in Spanish are a new arena that Tri lingual Interpreters
are entering into.
Are there several different types of interpreters that
work in the Tri-lingual Market?
It is important to know what your skills are and what you are
working on and what is an area you are not skilled in. Only accepting
jobs that fit your skill set is sometimes difficult, but is paramont
to providing accurate interpretation.
1) There are interpreters that have trained in all three languages.
2) Interpreters raised with Native Spanish, and acquire American
Sign Language or English as a second and third language.
3) Interpreters raised with Native American Sign Language skills
(C.O.D.A. Children of Deaf Adults) and acquire English or Spanish
is the second and third language.
4) Interpreters raised with Native Spoken English skills and
Native Spoken Spanish in a bilingual environment, and aquire American
Sign Language later.
5) Interpreters raised with Native Spoken English skills and
acquire Spoken Spanish and American Sign Language later.
There is also just as complicated matrix of Deaf Clients.
1) Educated in a Spanish Signing School, and English may be only
a second or third language.
2) Educated in a Spanish Signing School, and American Sign Language
may be only a second or third language.
3) Educated in a Spanish Oral Environment, no sign language, and
acquired little or no English.
4) Educated in a school that uses American Sign Language as the
language of instruction, but live in Spanish speaking environment
outside of that.
5) Home schooled, using home signs, with varying levels of English
or Spanish.
6) May have little or no exposure to any sign language in an educational
environment, but family uses Spanish around the Deaf consumer.
7) May have been educated in a Signing Exact English program (in
either Spanish/English), but live in a Spanish speaking environment.
Is there much demand for interpreters?
There is a strong need for qualified interpreters with credentials.
There is a severe shortage of qualified Tri-Lingual Interpreters.
The FCC recognized Spanish as a valid language for use on Video
Relay Service. There are a few states that recognize the need
for skilled tri-lingual interpreters. There is only one test so
far that can test all three languages that has been normed, others
are in development stages. Some employers require that Tri-Lingual
interpreters test in Spanish and ASL separately. Some states such
as Texas are investigating credentials for Tri-Lingual interpreters.
A majority of new interpreter training program graduates get
jobs in the school systems, where they receive a full-time salary
and benefits. Others work with interpreter referral agencies as
freelance interpreters. This offers them flexibility in hours
and job settings, but may not provide 40 hours per week in assignments.
In general, the demand for interpreters is in medium-to-large
cities. The more mobile you are, the more likely you are to find
an interpreting job.
Most VRS providers require a few years of post training work in
the community before getting a job in VRS.
What is meant by "qualified" or "credentialed?"
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the provision of
qualified interpreters in a variety of settings. It states that
"To satisfy this requirement, the interpreter must have the
proven ability to effectively communicate..." One important
measure of an interpreter's proven ability is professional credentials.
Credentials are obtained by taking and passing an assessment of
your skills. The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
(RID) provides testing for national certification. Assessments
by the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) and other state
agencies may also be accepted by employers.
Will an interpreter training program prepare me to get
my credentials?
While you are not required to have a college degree in order to
take an assessment, the background, skills development and theory
learned in a recognized interpreter training program are extremely
beneficial in getting your national certification. Upon completion
of a good program, most graduates are able to pass the RID written
exam. If you are active in the field and continue to upgrade your
knowledge and skills, you should be able to pass the RID skills
certification within three to five years. Get active in your local
RID chapter and work with a mentor in order to maximize your language
acquisition.
What kind of salary can I expect to earn?
Salaries will vary depending on many factors. These include a)
geographical area (rural areas tend to pay less than urban areas),
b) education, c) amount of experience, and d) credentials. Some
interpreters work freelance and earn anywhere from $12-$40/hour,
but they may not be able to schedule a full forty hours per week.
They do not get employee benefits. Other interpreters work for
an agency, business, government organization or school system.
Depending on many factors, these staff employees may earn anywhere
between $15,000-$30,000+ per year. You may want to call interpreter
referral agencies and school systems to get specific information
about the area of interpreting that interests you. Some highly
skilled and credentialed interpreters, usually in metropolitan
cities, can earn up to $40,000 to $50,000 a year.
Is sign language universal?
Sign language is no more universal than spoken languages. American
Sign Language is the language used by a majority of people in
the Deaf community in the United States and most of Canada (LSQ
is used in Quebec). Certain Caribbean countries and areas of Mexico
also use ASL. Puerto Rico also uses ASL, and some regional signs.
England uses British sign Language and Australia uses Australian
Sign Language.
What is the difference between ASL and English-type sign
languages?
American Sign Language (ASL) is a distinct visual-gestural-kinesthetic
language. While it borrows elements from spoken English and old
French sign language, it has unique grammatical, lexical and linguistic
features of its own. It is not English on the hands. Because ASL
is not English, educators have developed a number of signed codes
which use ASL vocabulary items, modify them to match English vocabulary,
and put them together according to English grammatical rules.
These codes have various names including Signed Exact English
(SEE) and Manual Coded English (MCE). Additionally, when native
speakers of English and native users of ASL try to communicate,
the "language" that results is a mixture of both English
and ASL vocabulary and grammar. This is referred to as PSE (Pidgin
Signed English) or contact signing.
How long does it take to become fluent in ASL?
How long does it take to become fluent in Japanese? Russian? Language
fluency, be it spoken or visual, requires time, study, immersion
in the language community, and constant practice. After taking
three classes, you may be able to handle communication of simple
concepts of daily life. To be comfortably fluent in native conversations
at normal rates discussing complex topics may take years.
Where can I take classes?
Sign language classes are offered throughout the community at
schools and colleges, churches and recreation departments. Some
of these are excellent, and some are very poor. The classes may
be ASL, PSE, SEE or some mixture of all. Instructors may be experienced,
professional educators, or people who have only taken a few classes
themselves.
Sign language instructors should have native or near-native fluency
in ASL. (Remember that it takes years to become highly fluent
in any foreign language.) Fluency in the language could be evidenced
by RID certification or NAD or state Quality Assurance (QA) ratings
in interpreting, or by an advanced or superior rating on the SCPI
(Sign Communication Proficiency Interview). .
It is very beneficial if the instructors have formally studied
the language and the teaching profession. They should be involved
in the Deaf community and with professional organizations. Credentials
to look for include membership in the American Sign Language Teachers
Association (ASLTA) and/or the Conference of Interpreter Trainers
(CIT) as well as organizations such as RID, NAD and Black Deaf
Advocates (BDA).
Other considerations in choosing a class may include:
The organization offering the class
Do they have someone in charge of the classes who knows about
sign language, Deaf people and education? What is the history
and reputation of the organization in regards to sign language
education? Resources: Can you get additional materials on sign
language? Are you provided with information on what is happening
in the Deaf community? After the basics, where do you go?
The Deaf community. People who are native ASL signers and involved
in the Deaf community see "graduates" from various classes.
Which classes do they recommend?
Graduates of the class. What have they accomplished since they
finished their studies? Has the class been helpful? Do they feel
they learned what they needed?
Where can I go to study interpreting?
There are college and university programs around the country.
A majority offer associate degrees in interpreting, but the number
of bachelor programs is growing. A handful of schools offer master
degrees in interpreting. A list of programs is available on RIDs
Interpreter Training Program web page -- http://www.rid.org/itp.html
-- for a listing of programs by state.
Which degree option is best for me?
That depends. To be a successful interpreter, you need a wide
range of general knowledge. A degree is an important way to gain
that knowledge. The higher the degree, the more diverse and complete
your general knowledge will be. In many interpreting jobs in school
systems, your salary is partly based on your degree. Interpreting
is a very complex task and requires a high degree of fluency in
two languages. Will you be able to master the language and the
interpreting task during the length of the program you are considering?
In general, the more education a person can get, the better they
will do. But, the quality of the education is important as well.
Is the program up to date and well respected by the Deaf and interpreting
communities? Are its faculty members affiliated with and actively
involved in professional organizations? What kind of credentials
do they have? Are the program graduates working in the field and
getting their credentials? What kinds of resources are available
to students and faculty? Answers to these questions may help you
choose the right program for you.
Will I be a certified interpreter when I finish the program?
NO! In this field, if someone is "certified"
that means they have passed the Registry of Interpreters for the
Deaf written and performance tests. We want to stress that finishing
a program does not guarantee that you will be able to get your
certification. Most programs provide you with the knowledge
and skills to begin pursuing an interpreting career. Completion
of a program is more like a driver's permit that lets you operate
in certain protected situations. Continued practice, participation
in workshops and training experiences, and work with mentors will
help prepare you to earn your certification.
Ref: Christine Smith, Coordinator Georgia Perimeter College Interpreter
Training Program. and http://rid.org/terpfaq.html
