It would be nice if that was the case, but sign language is no more universal than spoken languages.  American Sign Language is the language used by a majority of people in the Deaf community in the United States and most of Canada. However, LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) is used in the Province of Quebec. Certain Caribbean countries and areas of Mexico also use ASL.  Many other countries use sign languages unique to the country. For example, England uses British Sign Language and Australia uses Australian Sign Language. 

American Sign Language (ASL) is a distinct language. It has unique grammatical, lexical and linguistic features of its own.  It is not English on the hands.  Because ASL is not English, educators have developed a number of signed codes which use ASL vocabulary items, modify them to match English vocabulary, and put them together according to English grammatical rules.  These codes have various names including Signed Exact English (SEE) and Manually Coded English (MCE).  Additionally, when native speakers of English and native users of ASL try to communicate, the “language” that results is a mixture of both English and ASL vocabulary and grammar.  This is referred to as contact signing.  Here at Seattle Central Community College we teach ASL.

How long does it take to become fluent in Japanese?  Russian?  Language fluency, be it spoken or visual, requires time, study, immersion in the language community, and constant practice.  After taking several classes, you may be able to handle communication of simple concepts of daily life.  To be comfortably fluent in native conversations at normal rates discussing complex topics may take years. 

Many colleges and universities accept ASL to satisfy requirements for a foreign or second language.   In Washington State, the board of education has officially approved ASL to be taught at the high school and university level.  For instance, the University of Washington has accepted ASL in most of its programs. Most area colleges have accepted ASL to satisfy foreign language credit however it is best that you check with the program to which you want to transfer. Currently, Seattle Central Community College offers ASL as part of our Deaf Studies A.A. degree.  

Our college level beginning ASL courses are available for college credit. These ASL courses are designed for those who want to become fluent in ASL and for those interested in the profession of interpreting. To enroll for college credit, you must apply to the college for admission and complete all entrance requirements.  Enrollment and Registration can be reached at (206) 587-5450 or the admissions process can be completed online at http://seattlecentral.edu/admissions/enrollment.

ASL is not like riding a bicycle.  If you don’t use it, you lose it.  Therefore, if it has been a while since your last class, you need to take our placement test to assess your current skills

Under certain circumstances, yes. If your ASL course was of equal length, had similar objectives and experiences, used a comparable text, and was taken less than a year ago we will accept it.  Other situations are handled on a case-by-case basis, but we usually ask you to take the placement exam.

Yes, if your High School is part of the ASL Consortium and the ASL classes were for credit. If you wish to continue taking ASL classes at Seattle Central, you will still need to take the Placement Exam to determine placement in the appropriate skill level.

Sign Language/spoken English interpreters are highly skilled professionals.  They must be able to listen to another person's words, inflections, intent and simultaneously render them into the visual language of signs using the mode of communication preferred by the deaf consumer.  The interpreter must also be able to comprehend the signs, inflections and intent of the deaf consumer and simultaneously speak them in articulate, appropriate English.  They must understand the cultures in which they work and apply that knowledge to promote effective cross-cultural communications.

Sign language interpreting is a rapidly expanding field. Interpreters are employed by schools, government agencies, and private businesses.  Part-time, full-time, freelance and salaried positions are available in the Seattle area, in Washington State, and across the country. There are two websites that lists information about interpreting in WA state, percent of demand for this position and mean wage for interpreters; Qualifying Occupations and Workforce Explorer.

There is a high demand for qualified interpreters with credentials.   A majority of our graduates are hired in the school systems where they receive a full-time salary and benefits.  Others work with interpreter referral agencies as freelance interpreters.  This offers them flexibility in hours and job settings, but may not provide 40 hours per week in assignments.  In general, the demand for interpreters is in medium-to-large cities. The more mobile you are, the more likely you are to find an interpreting job.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the provision of qualified interpreters in a variety of settings. One important measure of an interpreter’s qualifications is professional credentials.  Credentials are obtained by taking and passing an assessment of your skills.  The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) provides testing for national certification. It consists of a written examination to test knowledge of Deaf culture, ethical practices and interpreting; and a performance evaluation to test interpreting skills. 

While you are not required to have a college degree in order to take an assessment, the background, skills development and theory learned at Seattle Central’s Interpreter Training Program are extremely beneficial in getting your national certification. However RID’s new requirement that candidates possess an Associate of Arts degree by June 2009 and a Bachelor’s Degree by the year 2012 is an impetus for those who wish to obtain certification with RID. Upon completion of this program, most graduates are able to pass the RID written exam. If you are active in the field and continue to upgrade your knowledge and skills, you should be able to pass the national RID skills certification within three to five years.

Salaries will vary depending on many factors.  These include a) geographical area (rural areas tend to pay less than urban areas), b) education, c) amount of experience, and d) credentials.  Some interpreters work freelance and earn anywhere from a $15-$50/hour, but they may not be able to schedule a full forty hours per week.  They do not get employee benefits.  Other interpreters work for an agency, business, government organization or school system.  Depending on many factors, these staff employees may earn a range between $15,000-$50,000+ per year.  You may want to call interpreter referral agencies and school systems to get specific information about the area of interpreting that interests you.

These specialty areas require skills and training beyond general interpreting and language skills.  You must first develop strong general skills in interpreting.  Then, workshops, courses and mentoring are available around the country.  In some specialties you may earn higher salaries and be highly in demand.  Other specialties may offer no full-time employment and little payment.  In any case, get a good solid base in general interpreting first.

The Interpreter Training Program sequence begins each fall.  The courses build one upon the other.  Students usually complete this program in 6 quarters for an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer degree. Students are expected to attend full-time.

Yes, beginning in the Fall of 2009, we will be able to offer students the option of completing an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer degree or continue to earn a Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Applied Behavioral Science (i.e., Interpreting).   

We do not have a formal placement service.  Throughout the program we will help you network with the agencies which hire interpreters.  When you have graduated, you should have the information you need for your job search.  We also post job announcements regularly from within Washington State and around the country. We may contact graduates if we hear of an opening.

NO! In this field, if someone is “certified” that means they have passed the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf performance test.  We want to stress that finishing the six quarters provides only the minimum skills required to do the work of interpreting. If someone told you that in just six quarters you could learn Arabic and become a United Nations interpreter you would not believe them. Completion of the program is more like a driver’s permit, which lets you operate in certain protected situations.  We can prepare you for the RID written exam, but the subsequent performance exam requires EXPERIENCE as an interpreter.

Seattle Central Community College has a variety of financial aid options available for students. If you are looking for financial aid, we suggest that you make an appointment with a financial aid advisor

We recognize that many interpreting students must also work. Therefore, you have an option of attending morning or afternoon classes, except for the first quarter. While we acknowledge that working while attending school is difficult, our instructors have the same high expectations for all students.  We suggest you consider all the demands on your time before committing to the program and strongly recommend not working, as this is a full-time college level program. Unless you have interpreting credentials, we expect you not to work as an interpreter while a student in the program.

WSRID, all have newsletters you receive as a member.  If you have internet and email access, you may also subscribe to Deaf Northwest. Once you're on the site, on the group "Deaf Northwest", and then click on “Join this Group.”  Deaf Northwest has hundreds of members, and the information provided there is quite useful.