Blog

Our work as interpreters requires that we develop some degree of comfort going into unknown situations. Since we can never perfectly predict the future, we must use our best judgment and report to work knowing that we will encounter many curveballs before any...

This blog’s focus is the comparison and contrast of two different Codes of Professional Conduct: One within the field of American Sign Language Interpreting, the other in the field of Nursing. Individual tenets will be examined, and similarities and differences will...

This blog post is part two on the topic of learning American Sign Language (ASL). If you have not yet read part one, please click here to check out the first post.   An important part of learning any language is immersion. The best way to immerse yourself in the...

          A vital aspect of the law enforcement process is the interview, previously known as the interrogation, of suspects and witnesses. This is a complex process that requires the acuity of highly trained and skilled officers. The presence of an interpreter adds...

Often times when I am on an interpreting assignment, the question is posed.... “Why or how did you become an interpreter?” After speaking with many of my colleagues, this is a common occurrence. I thought it would be interesting and fun to find out why or how...

As attested in Kathleen Stephenson’s series “What’s Your Story?” as sign language interpreters, we are often asked how we learned American Sign Language (ASL), whether it took a long time, how hard it was to learn, etc. The next question many people ask is: Where can...

Vicarious trauma, also called compassion fatigue, is a real threat to Sign Language interpreters in any setting. In a primary school setting, an interpreter could witness the effects of physical abuse on a d/Deaf student at the hands of a parent. In a hospital...

If you are a sign language interpreter who is new to the field, welcome! When you first enter the field as a novice sign language interpreter, it can be overwhelming to navigate all the new challenges and experiences. The lessons that you learned from your Interpreter...

The governing body for American Sign Language interpreters, The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), produces Standard Practice Papers for each of its specialties; this includes the specialty of Legal interpreting. The RID first defines what Legal Interpreting...

Often times when I am on an interpreting assignment, the question is posed.... “Why or how did you become an interpreter?” After speaking with many of my colleagues, this is a common occurrence. I thought it would be interesting and fun to find out why or how...

When I first started interpreting, I was struck by how many skills were needed beyond language mastery. We take for granted, but ultimately rely on, life skills like thinking on our feet, staying calm under pressure, and going with the flow. As professionals, it would...

This blog begins the “INTERPRET THIS!” Series, in which a stimulus will be presented either in ASL or English for the purpose of honing your interpreting skills at your leisure. No matter whether you are well-seasoned or fresh out of an Interpreter Training Program,...