Focus on history of the interpreting field, growth of the profession, and current trends. Students begin study and analysis of the Code of Ethics. Basic interpreting techniques are introduced and practiced. Students translate discourse from English to American Sign Language and from American Sign Language to English. This includes analysis of the text, understanding language equivalence, restructuring the message, and judging appropriateness when translating.
Course deals with practical and ethical issues in interpreting.
Students begin to practice interpreting skills consecutively. Students interpret from American Sign Language to English and English to American Sign Language with time between the source and the interpretation. Students are introduced to planned and unplanned material, and have opportunities to observe working interpreters. Course focuses on simultaneously interpreting monologues from American Sign Language to English and English to American Sign Language. Interpretation in this case begins before the source message is completed and continues while the source message continues.