HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER?

 

Sign Language has garnered utmost attention in past years. Organizations for deaf people have generated welfare programs to train the sign language interpreter apart from the family members of the deaf. Non-deaf people have also taken the initiative of learning sign language and operate this as a legit career. It gives them chance to be a part of the deaf community. 

Sign Language Learning program: 

It is advised to get proper education about sign language. Hearing people are entering into the profession of deaf interpretation. They have no background and experience in dealing with the deaf. However, the interest of hearing people is established by the sign language associations. They acquire sign language as a second language to become professionals in it. However, formal education is important for hearing people. That counts on a Sign Language Associate degree or certificate of achievement in sign language for deaf and hard of hearing people. Some colleges offer training programs in certified Sign Language Learning.  

Educational institutions have devised extensive programs for sign language certification. Deaf Studies and Interpreter Preparation is the first step in becoming a certified sign language interpreter. Getting a deaf studies certificate is the first milestone completed. After this, the interpreter preparation program is started. Here the student learns special skills for interpretation to learn the language, culture, and interpreting theory, to make effective communication with the deaf. The next step is to apply for an interpreter license and give an assessment to the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) to enhance the skills. 

Certification of Specialization: 

In learning sign language interpretation, there is a new dimension beyond learning it’s called specialization in any field of sign language interpretation. Pre-certified Interpreters are also working but with certification, the chances of getting hired again and again by the well-reputed companies are higher. With the certification, the compensation amount is also high.  For National Interpreting Certification (NIC) it is encouraged to apply through the Registry of Interpreters for the deaf (RID). This certification is officially accepted worldwide and the interpreter is considered an expert in its field of specialization. This certification comes with many benefits such as the chance of getting a government job and increment in salary package with the exposure of diversity of deaf people. 

Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs): 

These children have easy access to become a professional deaf interpreter as they have vast experience with the deaf parent or a relative.  Before the sign language training programs, COADs were more likely to adopt this as a career and it was not hyped. But with the time working for the deaf community and the exceptional services generated for them, sign language learning became popular. But there remains discrimination between CODAs and hearing people acting as an interpreter by the deaf community. The deaf people do not consider them relevant to their cultural background and refuse to communicate openly. However, with time and learning programs, cultural education of deaf is also provided and this gap is filling. 

Interpreter Training Program: 

Basic Sign Language is acquired before entering into the interpreting training program. In this program, they learn critical thinking and ethical responses by the code of professional conduct. It provides them comprehensive portfolio for job seeking and 42 hours of documented supervised work. The curriculum for Sign Language learning includes deaf culture, fingerspelling, and numerical concepts, survey of children with special needs, reading, and composition. 

Conclusion: 

Certified Sign Language Interpreter requires training from the official institutions that have generated a curriculum to address the whole deaf community rather than a small gathering of deaf people. The education is extensive and applicable worldwide. Languagers have exceptional sign language interpreters too that are recognized both nationally and internationally. To know more about our services visit us.