Published
Becoming a skilled ASL interpreter takes a lot of commitment, training and practice. The certification exam is VERY difficult. Someone who took a few years of ASL is NOT qualified to be a medical interpreter with very rare exceptions. The hospital I work at does not even offer bilingual pay! I do not think you would ever recoup what you spend in time, money or effort by having a degree in ASL. Leave interpreting to the pros. I have seen so many awful interpreters in my life I lost count. Many work in the educational settings. Medical interpreting is very challenging, probably only eclipsed by legal interpreting. learning a second spoken language is probably a lot easier if you are looking to be bilingual.
A timely article about ASL interpretation
Why Great Sign Language Interpreters Are So Animated - The Atlantic
The other thing that happens is that when someone who claims to know ASL works for an organization, the organization thinks they can cut corners and cancel the professional interpreter and use an employee instead. then you end up with this:
Don't be this guy.
Turns out this guy is a lifeguard and works for county. they cancelled the professional interpreter and replaced him with this person. The outcry from the Deaf community soon had him replaced with paid, certified, professional interpreters.
Be this guy:
Sign language interpreter steals show at Irma conference | Daily Mail Online
Now I have burst your bubble, If you are still interested in learning ASL, I would be happy to share what I know and guide you in the right direction.
Hugs
Southpaw
For something a bit more lighthearted, I still get a laugh out of the SNL skit spoofing the fake interpreter at Mandela's memorial where Obama spoke
Original
SNL skit
owlnerd
2 Posts
Hi I am a pre-nursing student and was also interested in getting my ASL interpreters license. I was wandering if this would make me more valuable for a future employer? Im mostly concerned with doing all the schooling for both nursing and interpreting then not getting to use my knowledge. Thanks for any advice