In today’s world, where information is plentiful and free to access, the right and reliable resources can get lost in the midst of clutter. Information on industry trends and developments can be key to progressing in one’s career.
ASL interpreting is a niche career path that requires dedicated and calculated efforts for you to continue progressing. It is important to find the right resources that can help you stay up-to-date with what is going on in the world of interpreting. However, in a clutter of information, it can be confusing to determine which sources are useful and which should not be relied on.
Generally speaking, if you are a professional ASL interpreter looking for trustworthy resources to stay informed about industry trends, your best bets can be:
- Journals
- Publications
- Blogs of thought leaders and seasoned industry experts
- Other online databases
Below, we have put together some resources that are reliable and helpful. For this list, we have gathered a variety of resources- some of which might apply to you, while others might not. You can go through the list and use your best judgment to determine which ones can be helpful to you.
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Inc. (RID)
RID is a national certifying association of interpreters. It focuses on the growth of sign language interpreters. It aims to assist them in their professional path right from the beginning.
If you are just starting your career as an ASL interpreter, RID provides essential resources such as the Code of Professional Conduct.
Further, as a member of RID, you can gain access to their publications and materials. These include-
- A quarterly digital magazine with an equal focus on both languages i.e. English and ASL
- An annual journal full of research reports, articles, scholarly manuscripts, and essays relevant to the field of interpreting
The National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers (NCIEC)
The center aims to help interpreters develop their careers through education. Its website has a selection of archived webinars on healthcare interpreting, legal interpreting, and Trilingual (ASL, Spanish, and English) interpreting, among other topics.
NCIEC has also developed multiple video resources that you can access for free. These videos are classified into three sections-
- ASL Narratives- The videos in this section can be used for the dual purpose of pre-service and professional development
- Specialty Settings Video Collection- As the name suggests, the videos in this category focus on specialty areas of interpreting. You can use these to develop professional competency in areas such as legal interpreting and trilingual interpreting. Along with the videos, you will also find curricular material and questions that can further guide you.
- Terp Talks- These videos include texts in ASL and English, and can be used as stimulus materials.
The National Association For Interpreters In Education (NAIE)
NAIE focuses on supporting the professional development of interpreters in the educational field. If you are a novice, you can access the Professional Guidelines for Interpreting in Educational Settings on the association’s website.
Further, the association offers special benefits to its members for a minimal fee. Members have access to newsletters, opportunities, and resources that can help them with their professional aspirations.
If you are looking for resources on educational interpreting that you can access for free, NAIE has a Resource Center where you can find numerous resources on accessibility laws, deafblind interpreting, language development, sign vocabulary, individualized education programs, and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, among other topics.
The Institute for Legal Interpreting (ILI)
Interpreters specializing in the legal field can access videos and workbooks that can help them analyze and apply protocols and practices. The material focuses on various aspects of legal interpreting, from the preparation stage to the interpretation of testimonies provided by witnesses(including Deaf witness testimony). Through this, you can also practice skills such as consecutive interpreting and note-taking.
CATIE Center
The center aims to offer resources and learning opportunities to interpreters specializing in healthcare. Interpreters can access resources related to both medical and mental or behavioral health.
You can find mini online classes, in-depth online courses, interactive online modules, self-study material, and advanced courses. The center also offers mental health interpreter training, along with numerous self-study courses for medical interpreting.
You can find video resources, educator resources, guides to best practices in healthcare interpreting, and the latest updates on industry developments. You can also find a list of organizations involved in healthcare interpreting here.
Photo by Canva Studio
Additional Resources
These publications, books, journals, and web resources are also great for keeping abreast of the latest developments-
- Journal of Interpretation
- Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education
- Street Leverage
- International Journal of Interpreter Education
- Advances in Educational Interpreting
- National Association of the Deaf
- Language and Literacy of Deaf Children
- You Want To Be An Interpreter?
- Patterns in EIPA Test Scores And Implications For Interpreter Education
Conclusion
To not lose your competitive edge, it is essential to stay abreast of industry trends and developments. While finding resources that are both reliable and accessible is necessary, it can also be confusing.
We, at Unspoken Language Services, are dedicated to providing the best interpreting services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. We realize that to achieve this goal it is important to support interpreters through their professional development. We hope that this list was able to guide you to the best resources for staying up-to-date on industry news and developments.
We are looking for ASL interpreters who are committed to providing excellent services through continuous development. As an Unspoken Interpreter, you become a part of a community of like-minded interpreters you can resonate with. Peer learning can be an important part of professional development. Join us today to become an Unspoken Interpreter!
Thumbnail Photo Credit to: Photo by Eliza Craciunescu
