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NYAspie
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: May 05, 2005
Posts: 175
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
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 Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject: Looking to become an ASL interpreter |
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I recently passed my third anniversary at my current job. Despite the long commute and rather tedious nature of my duties, I seem to enjoy it. 
Having said that, I am now looking to get into a new career, one that I believe I'll enjoy. After some time mulling it over in my mind, I came up with "ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreter".
So, the question before the house is, how do I go about learning the language and then go on my way to fulfilling this ambition of mine?
_________________
GEORGE CARLIN
1937-2008
Shoot for the Moon; even if you miss, you will land amongst the stars. |
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DevonB
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: Mar 14, 2008
Age: 39
Posts: 198
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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Take courses. You have to become very proficient at its use to be a translator. You have to understand that ASL is not like spoken english. You will have to be able to facilitate communication between a speaker and a deaf person. It's the deaf culture you have to understand in addition to being able to sign.
Volunteer in the local deaf community. I'm sure they always need someone to help. It's the best way to learn the culture, and obviously practice your newfound skills.
Find out from an existing translator what its like, and what you need to do in order to become one. Pick their brain and see what it takes to become successful at it.
I knew a translator, but she worked at it in addition to a regular job. I don't know if it was out of preference or not.
Good luck! |
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Onibunny
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Apr 09, 2008
Posts: 65
Location: California
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:09 am Post subject: |
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Becoming an ASL translator can be tricky. I took a lot of the classes and did very well, but we had an assignment where we had to do real life situations (randomly pulled from a hat) for translators. I pulled dr. office visit. and in my role play my deaf character had cancer and I had to tell them they had a limited time left to live. It scared me. I finished the course and never looked back. I really enjoy asl and the deaf community, but translating just wasn't for me!
Good luck |
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