Becoming an American Sign Language interpreter is a very popular choice for many ASL students.
People choose to become interpreters because they love American Sign Language, love Deaf people, and enjoy being exposed to a wide variety of interesting subject matter and experiences. Interpreting is a very fun and rewarding career. You get to wake up every morning and go out into the world and provide a valuable service.
We go into more detail about becoming a sign language interpreter in Don’t Just “Sign”… Communicate!: A Student’s Guide to ASL and the Deaf Community, but we have included some of the most important information here.
Sign Language Interpreter Education
The educational requirements for certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf are currently changing. As of June 30, 2009, all hearing candidates for RID certification must have at least an associate’s degree, in any field, in order to take the performance exams. This requirement is expected to increase to a bachelor’s degree by 2012. Deaf candidates for RID certification are expected to have an associate’s degree by 2012 and a bachelor’s degree by 2016.
As of right now, the degree can be in any field in order to take the RID performance exams. However, you still need to be prepared for these exams. For most people, the best way to prepare is to get a two-year or four-year degree in ASL Interpreting.
Many colleges and universities offer ASL interpreter training programs. You can find interpreter training program listings on the RID website: RID’s database of interpreter education programs.
Sign Language Interpreter Certification
Certification is now required for most interpreting positions. There is a National Interpreter Certification (NIC) test that is given jointly by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). This test involves a written test, an interview, and a performance test. To learn more about the certification process, visit the Certification section of the RID website.
Your state may also require other certification on top of the national certification in order to be an interpreter for the deaf. And depending on the setting in which you plan to interpret, there may be other certifications required as well.
Types of Interpreters
As an interpreter for the deaf, you can work either as a staff employee, a freelance independent contractor, or an agency interpreter.
As a staff employee, your job would be more stable, predictable, and often include benefits. However, you would also have less flexibility in picking your assignments and your range of experience would be limited to what the organization does.
As a freelance interpreter for the deaf, you get to contract with many different agencies. These can include private agencies, public agencies, schools, hospitals, courts, businesses, and even directly with clients. However, unlike a staff position, you wouldn’t get benefits such as health insurance or vacation pay. You also have to deal with extra paperwork like preparing quarterly tax estimates and obtaining business licenses and insurance. Also, freelance interpreters normally don’t receive a full forty hours of work per week.
Agency interpreters are interpreters who are contracted by interpreting agencies. These agencies are contacted by clients and the agency sends out the most qualified interpreter for that job.
Sign Language Interpreter Salary
Interpreter salaries can range from $12 to $50 an hour or more or $10,000 to $50,000 or more annually. Your salary will depend on your geographical location (rural areas tend to pay less), education, credentials, amount of experience, and what type of interpreter you are (such as staff, freelance, or agency).
Interview with Mandy Slater
Mandy Slater is an ASL interpreter who works for Sorenson shares her journey of becoming certified and her experience working as an interpreter.
Watch our Interview with Mandy.
Sign Language Interpreter Code of Ethics
The sign language interpreting Code of Ethics is very important for all interpreters to follow.
All RID certified sign language interpreters are required to follow the RID Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics requires that interpreters behave in a manner appropriate to their position. For example, interpreters may not change the message they are interpreting, all assignment-related information must remain confidential, and no personal opinions or advice can be added while interpreting.
The seven tenets of the RID Code of Ethics are listed below:
- Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
- Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
- Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
- Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
- Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
- Interpreters maintain Ethical business practices.
- Interpreters engage in professional development.
Here is the official NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct.
Sign Language Interpreter Resources
There are more details about becoming an ASL interpreter in Don’t Just “Sign”… Communicate!: A Student’s Guide to ASL and the Deaf Community.
If you are or plan to be interpreting in ASL, you should have these resources! We know the best books and videos for sign language interpreters. These are all wonderful resources that we highly recommend!
Please note that when you choose to purchase through the external links on this website (in many but not all cases) we will receive a referral commission. However, this commission does not influence the information we provide in this site. We always give honest opinions and reviews to share our findings, beliefs, and/or experiences. You can view our full disclosure on this page.
The Best Sign Language Interpreter Books
So You Want to Be an Interpreter: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting
This book is the perfect introduction to ASL interpreting. The book is easy to read, well organized, and the most popular interpreting textbook on the market. If you want to learn about the interpreting process as well as ethics, this is the book for you. It’s a great resource and wonderful to have around!
Effective Interpreting Series by Carol Patrie
The Effective Interpreting Series by Carol Patrie explains interpreting the way it should be explained. This is exactly how you should be learning how to interpret ASL! We highly recommend owning this series.
- ASL Skills Development
- Cognitive Processing Skills in ASL
- Consecutive Interpreting from ASL
- Translating from ASL
- Simultaneous Interpreting from ASL
- English Skills Development
- Cognitive Processing Skills in English
- Translating from English
- Consecutive Interpreting from English
- Simultaneous Interpreting from English
Interpretation Skills Series by Marty Taylor
This is a newer resource for interpreting practice. If you are looking to improve your translation skills as you are learning ASL, then this might be a great resource for you.
Interpreting: An Introduction
This small book is stock full of information! We highly recommend this book if you plan to interpret!
Building ASL Interpreting and Translation Skills: Narratives for Practice (with DVD)
This is a newer resource for interpreting practice that comes with a DVD. If you are looking to improve your translation skills as you are learning ASL, then this might be a great resource for you.
Deaf Plus: A Multicultural Perspective
If you plan on being an ASL interpreter, you really need to understand the multicultural aspect of it. You are interpreting ASL–a language that is an integral part of Deaf culture. Deaf people come from many different backgrounds and this book is great for ASL interpreters to learn the unique experiences and needs of these different people.
Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters
This book is great for ASL interpreters. The author goes into detail about the concepts of intercultural communication and the differences between hearing and Deaf cultures. This is all stuff you need to know if you are going to be an interpreter! The author explains your role as an interpreter and what you need to know when you are in different translation situations. We highly recommend it!
1100 Words You Need to Know (Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know)
This is a book about vocabulary that provides lessons for learning a huge amount of different words. Vocabulary is so important for interpreters! If you don’t know what a word means, how will you be able to interpret it? This book is easy to use and we highly recommend it for interpreters.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know
This book is great for ASL interpreters. Interpreters need to know a little bit about everything, and this book will help you do that! It’s a dictionary of words and concepts from many topics. The book is divided into chapters like the Bible, Technology, Geography, Idioms, Mythology and Folklore, etc. It will give you terms and information from each of these categories so you will, like I said, know a little bit about everything!
Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Medical Dictionary
Medical terminology is always the most difficult to learn and find. I don’t think I ever really learned medical terms in ASL from taking a class. Therefore, this book is a must-have resource!
Religious Signing: A Comprehensive Guide For All Faiths
If you want to learn religious signs, or plan to interpret church services, this book is wonderful! It’s a great comprehensive guide and is easy to understand. We highly recommend it!
Interpreting at Church: A Paradigm for Sign Language Interpreters
If you plan to interpret for church services, then this is a great resource for learning about certification, ethics, compensation, and more.
The Best Sign Language Interpreter Videos
American Sign Language Interpreter Training Series by Gilda and Avery Posner
This 2 DVD set is a fantastic resource for any ASL student, teacher, or interpreter. It combines both Receptive and Expressive skills practice into an extremely comprehensive resource that covers fingerspelling, facts, vocabulary, sign-to-voice, voice-to-sign, idioms and phrases, and more. Highly recommended!
Effective Interpreting Series by Carol Patrie
If you are interested in interpreting in a medical or legal setting, then this might be a great DVD series for you. It is part of the Effective Interpreting Series by Carol Patrie.
Be sure to keep in mind that you need to be willing to work hard to gain the skills and experience necessary for this type of work. Before you begin your interpreting education, we highly recommend doing some research to make sure this is the right career for you.
