Introduction to Interpreting Syllabus

Meet Your Instructor: Jazmin Vollmar, a nationally certified sign language interpreter, CODA, improv teacher and workshop presenter, and now an adjunct professor at Santa Ana college. 

Course Description:  Introduction to Interpreting is an Introduction to and survey of basic theories, principles and practices of American Sign Language interpreting and transliterating for the deaf. This course explores the full spectrum of the roles and ethical responsibilities of professional sign language interpreters in a variety of settings. Classroom time provides for exposure to practice of expressive and receptive skills and includes instructions on how to become a sign language interpreter. ]

Textbook Information:  [No textbook]

Course Learning Objectives: 

Introduction to the history of sign language interpreting in the United States, the founders
of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, the involvement of the National Association of
the Deaf and how these entities are working together today.  

Introduction to conceptual models of professional sign language interpreting and the
varying types of interpreting modalities used.

The student will learn the Code of Professional Conduct for interpreters as outlined by
the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf/National Association of the Deaf and the
National Interpreter Certification.  

Introduce the professional aspects of the career of Sign Language Interpreting, including
education, training and certification requirements, settings (educational, legal, medical,
etc.), employment options, ethical business practices and the physical demands of the
profession. 

Instruction on how to execute expressive and receptive sign language interpreting,
consecutive and simultaneous modalities in the classroom with support from instructor.]

Student Learning Objectives:  

1. The student will develop an understanding of the profession of a sign language interpreter and the skills and further training necessary to be a member of the profession.

2. The student will develop a culturally appropriate respect for the need for cultural mediation between the American hearing and Deaf cultures.

3. The student will begin to develop analytical skills that allow for the appropriate conceptually accurate interpretation of ASL into English vocabulary and English concepts into an ASL.