While academic programs lay the foundational stones of linguistic skills and theoretical knowledge, the journey to becoming a proficient interpreter extends far beyond the classroom walls.
In this blog, we will dive into the less-charted territories of interpreter training. Our focus shifts from textbooks and lectures to real-world scenarios and practical strategies that can significantly enhance your interpretive skills. Whether you’re a recent graduate stepping into the world of interpretation or a seasoned professional seeking to refine your skills, these tactics will help you bring your interpreting skills to the next level.
Get A Mentor
A career in professional interpreting can be as challenging as it is rewarding, especially after the structured environment of academic schooling. As you step out of the classroom and into the real world, finding a mentor who can support you and help you through that transition is invaluable.
On this journey you will make mistakes, we all do. But you will make less of them with a mentor who can help you. Finding a mentor can be a crucial leg up in your professional growth as an interpreter. Seek out a mentor who is RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) certified, and has achieved this certification relatively recently, within the last 10 to 15 years.
The RID certification process, like many professional standards, undergoes frequent updates and changes. A mentor who has recently navigated this path will have a fresh and relevant perspective, understanding the current demands and expectations of the certification process. They can offer insights and advice that are in tune with the latest trends and changes, providing you with an edge.
Seek Varied Experiences
The world of professional interpreting is vast and varied, and each interpreter’s journey is unique.
Engage with interpreters from different backgrounds, experience levels, and areas of expertise. Whether they specialize in legal, medical, educational, or community interpreting, each one offers a treasure trove of insights. By listening to their stories and learning from their experiences, you can gain invaluable lessons that might otherwise take years to learn through personal experience alone.
This approach allows you to understand the multifaceted nature of interpreting. By interacting with a broad range of interpreters, you gain a more comprehensive understanding of the field. You’ll hear about the challenges they faced, the mistakes they made, and most importantly, how they overcame them.
Every interpreter you meet is a potential source of wisdom. Approach these interactions with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The collective wisdom of these seasoned professionals can be your guide, helping you leapfrog common obstacles and accelerate your growth in the field.
Practice New Signs
In your interpreting career, a key element to work on is the development of your linguistic toolkit. Just as an artist must constantly refine their skills and add new techniques to their repertoire, an interpreter should regularly practice new signs and expand their vocabulary in both sign and spoken language.
We can only express and interpret what we know. Different signing skills and language nuances need constant honing. Without this continuous practice, attempting to use a new sign or English word under pressure can be, to put it bluntly, a recipe for disaster. It’s akin to a basketball player who sees an impressive new move and decides to try it during a crucial game without ever having practiced it. The likelihood of success isn’t very high.
Each new sign or word is a tool in your interpreter’s toolbox. The more tools you have, and the more adept you are at using them, the more effectively you can communicate and interpret. Regular practice ensures that these tools are always sharp and ready to be used seamlessly in your interpreting work.
Interpreting is a dynamic field, languages evolve, and new signs and expressions emerge. Staying current with these changes and continuously practicing will not only enhance your confidence but also your credibility as a professional interpreter.
Immerse Yourself In The Community
An often-overlooked yet incredibly effective strategy for aspiring interpreters is immersing oneself in continual sign language use. This means actively seeking opportunities to be part of the Deaf community.
The benefits of this immersion are multifaceted. First, it allows you to practice and improve your singing in a natural, real-world context. The more you communicate in sign language, the more fluent and comfortable you become with its nuances and subtleties. Second, immersing yourself in the Deaf community enriches your understanding of Deaf culture, and helps you translate meaning and emotion. By making new friends and socializing within the Deaf community, you gain insights and perspectives that are invaluable for your development as an interpreter.
Remember, language is a living, breathing entity, and sign language is no different. It evolves, changes, and grows over time. Being an active participant in the Deaf community keeps you in tune with these changes and ensures that your skills remain relevant and up-to-date.
Analyze Your Signing
Analyzing your signing involves scrutinizing your grammar, ensuring contextual accuracy, and being aware of the nuances of ASL.
One of the best examples I can share comes from a friend of mine, known for his exceptional signing skills. His secret? A relentless commitment to analyzing and refining his signing. Over a period of 3-4 years, he dedicated himself to this process, meticulously evaluating every aspect of his sign language use. This rigorous self-analysis led to a profound mastery of ASL grammar and language use, making him one of the most skilled signers I know.
The process of self-analysis is deeply intertwined with immersion and practice. When you are immersed in the Deaf community and regularly practice signing, take the opportunity to reflect on your use of the language. Ask yourself questions like: Is this sign grammatically correct? Is it contextually appropriate? How might a native signer convey this idea?
Sign language, like any language, has its own rhythm, its own ebb and flow. By continuously examining your signing, you’ll start to grasp these nuances.
Remember, the journey to becoming an exceptional interpreter is not just about accumulating knowledge; it’s about constantly refining and evolving your skills. Through persistent practice, immersive experiences, and meticulous self-analysis, you’ll not only improve your singing but also gain a deeper appreciation of ASL as a rich, expressive language.
Need Interpreting?
Hands Up Communications can help. Our goal is to help you effectively communicate with the world. If you need a remote on onsite interpreter, you can schedule one here!