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American Sign Language/English Interpretation

Be a conduit for the hearing and non-hearing worlds – interpreting English in a hearing context and American Sign Language in a Deaf-cultural context.

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Start Date:
September
Duration:
2 Years
Credential:
Diploma
Delivery:
Full-time

Locations

+Locations & Full-time Program Availability

Program Overview

As an interpreter, you are the crucial link between two very different worlds. You take a message from English, in a hearing-world context, and place it in American Sign Language (ASL) in a Deaf-cultural context, without changing or influencing its meaning. And you do the same in reverse. Both worlds depend on you in order to understand each other. As an interpreter, you require excellent social and interpersonal skills, as well as emotional stamina and agility.

In your 1st year, you focus on Deaf culture, advanced-level American Sign Language (ASL), pre-interpretation skills and the theory of interpretation. In your 2nd year, you focus on the practice of interpretation.

Student Comments

  1. Highlight"Fantastic faculty, hands-on and they give great feedback."
  2. Favourite"Getting involved with a new community and group of friends."
  3. Cool Activity"Placements are an amazing opportunity to work with other interpreters."

Admission Requirements

  • High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • Successful completion of the Deaf Studies Certificate or equivalent.
  • As a final stage of your application process, you are interviewed in person so we can assess your ASL and English skills, as well as your knowledge of Deaf culture.
  • Detailed instructions regarding entrance requirements – ASL Entrance Requirements (88 KB)

Choose NSCC

  • NSCC is the only school east of Ontario to offer this program and it is one of only four of this kind nationwide.
  • Learn from experienced instructors. A number of our teaching faculty are Deaf, giving you an authentic one-on-one experience with Deaf culture and keeping you up to date on events in the local and regional Deaf communities.
  • Gain work experience. You put your skills to work in real-world environments during your work terms.

Employment Opportunities

There is a shortage of qualified interpreters within this province and beyond and opportunities for full-time and part-time work. Opportunities exist in the school system from kindergarten to Grade 12, at community colleges and universities, as well as in the community at large. Interpreters are needed in the legal system, in hospitals, at meetings, on TV and a wide variety of venues. The Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA), as well as several other referral agencies also employ interpreters.

Our Grads

Graduates are on stage interpreting at events, performances and in public forums. Many are involved in committees for national professional associations or a local chapter of professional interpreters. In addition to their work as interpreters, some have returned to NSCC to teach or mentor the next generation of students.

Courses May Include

Course descriptions
Code Course
AEIP 1007   English to ASL Interpreting Skills
AEIP 1008   ASL to English Interpreting Skills
AEIP 2010   Pre-Interpreting ASL I
AEIP 2012   Text Analysis
AEIP 2014   Intro to professional Practice
AEIP 2016   Professional Practice
AEIP 2018   Language Variation in ASL
AEIP 2020   Pre-Interpreting ASL II
AEIP 2030   Introduction to Interpretation
AEIP 3000   ASL for Interpreters I
AEIP 3001   Interpretation I
AEIP 3002   Interpretation II
AEIP 3003   Role and Ethics
AEIP 3004   Skills Analysis I
AEIP 3040   Applied Interpreting I
AEIP 3050   Applied Interpreting II
AEIP 4000   ASL for Interpreters II
AEIP 4004   Skills Analysis II
AEIP 4007   Professional and Business Practices for Interpreters
AEIP 4008   Presentation Arts
AEIP 4040   Interpreting in Educational Settings
AEIP 4500   Applied Interpreting III
SAFE 1000   Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
SAFE 1001   Introduction to NS OH&S Act

Next Steps

  1. Application Process

    Who Can ApplyHow to Apply
  2. Explore Related Programs:

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