Interpreting for the Deaf

A Pathfinder

SCOPE

The Gallaudet University Library contains a large collection of materials related to interpreting for the deaf. This pathfinder is designed to help you find information and materials about the various aspects of interpreting. Use the clues in this pathfinder to narrow your search to the specific aspects of interpreting that interest you.

Remember, this pathfinder will not tell you about all the materials the Library has about interpreting for the deaf. You must do the research yourself. This pathfinder will guide you to the appropriate places to begin your search for information. If you need further assistance, please ask at the Reference Desk.

INTRODUCTIONS

A brief introduction to and overall description of interpreting for the deaf can be found in: Van Cleve, John, ed. Gallaudet encyclopedia of deaf people and deafness. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987. (On reserve at the Circulation Desk.)

• Topics include the history of interpreting, ethics, etiquette, different settings and working conditions, and development of training programs. In particular, look for these two articles: "Interpreting", by Nancy Frishberg (Volume 2, p.89-96) and "Interpreter Training in the United States" by Janice Kanda (Volume 2, p.96-98). Other related articles may be found through the Index in Volume 3.

For more detailed introductory material, the following are suggested:

Frishberg, Nancy. Interpreting: an introduction [revised edition]. Silver Spring, Md.: RID Publications, 1990. (DEAF 418.02 F7i 1990)

• A detailed expansion of her brief article in the Gallaudet encyclopedia of deaf people and deafness. Covers history, terminology, required skills, research, roles, work settings and demand, training, and special techniques. Appendices offer the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics, AIIC Code of Professional Conduct and Practice, and a compilation of state interpreter laws. Includes a 16-page bibliography.

Humphrey, Janice H., and Alcorn, Bob. So you want to be an interpreter?: an introduction to sign language interpreting (second edition). Salem, OR: Sign Enhancers, 1994. (DEAF 418.02 H85s 1994)

• Discusses the interpreter's role, requirements, training, ethics, specialized skills, various sign systems, situation assessment, and the certification procedure.

BOOKS

Books are good places to get in-depth information and the historical background of a topic. Books are not good places to find recent information, except for current directories. Hint: Don't forget to check the bibliography (list of resources) at the end of most books to find other suggestions of where to find information!

To find the Gallaudet Library's books on interpreting for the deaf, use the WRLC Libraries Catalog part of the ALADIN system. Use the Keyword search with the following keywords:

• interpreting AND deaf

To find more specific aspects of interpreting, try adding a term for that aspect to your keyword search. Some examples are:

• interpreting AND deaf AND communication
• interpreting AND deaf AND "educational programs"
• interpreting AND deaf AND "legal problems"
• interpreting AND deaf AND oral
• interpreting AND deaf AND "sign language"

PERIODICALS

Periodicals can be used to find recent information on topics. They can also provide an interesting historical perspective. For example, if you are interested in the certification requirements for interpreters in 1978, you could use an index to find articles published in 1978 that reflect the standards of that time, and compare it with a similar but more recently published article.

You can find periodical articles using online indexes or printed indexes. Most printed indexes are located on the Middle Level of the Library, across from the Circulation Desk. The online databases are available through the ALADIN system and the Library's Web home page.

Online Indexes

For finding information on interpreting using the ERIC database, you can connect to ERIC through the ALADIN system's Articles and Other Databases list. Use the following terms in a Keywords search:

• interpreters deafness
• interpretive skills deafness
• interpreting sign language
• interpreting oral

The Education Abstracts articles database, also in ALADIN's Articles and Other Databases list, has some post-1983 articles too. Use these terms in a Words anywhere search:

• interpreters and deaf
• interpreting and deaf

The Periodicals Abstracts articles database, again also in ALADIN's Articles and Other Databases list, is another source to search for articles in many popular and scholarly non-deaf-related periodicals. Search on the phrase:

• interpreters and deaf

The Gallaudet University Library's own Index to deaf periodicals database can lead you to several articles about interpreting in several popular deaf periodicals. It is accessible through the Gallaudet University Library's Web page, http://library.gallaudet.edu. Click on the Deaf-related Resources button, then on Index to Deaf Periodicals. In a Keyword...Subject search, use these terms:

• interpreters
• interpreting and deaf

Printed Indexes

For finding older articles (pre-1984) about interpreting using the Education index, use this subject heading:

• Deaf-Means of communication
  This heading also includes articles about sign language, fingerspelling, lipreading, etc., so you will have to look through the titles to find the articles specifically about interpreting.

Newspaper Indexes

Newspapers are also good places to look for current information or to get an overview of day-to-day coverage of a particular topic. There are special indexes available to help you find information in newspapers. For searching articles in the New York times and Washington post, use the printed New York times index and Washington post index in the Index Area, on the Middle Level across from the Circulation Desk.

To find articles about interpreting for the deaf in the New York times index, use these subject headings:

• Deafness
• Deaf, National Registry of Interpreters for the

In the Washington post index, use these terms:

• Deaf
• Deaf services

In addition, articles in the New York times (1989+), USA today (1989+) and Wall Street Journal (1986+) may be searched online as part of the Periodicals Abstract database (see Online indexes above).

Newsletters

Newsletters are so short, and published for such a small local area, that they are not covered by periodical indexes. The Gallaudet University Library subscribes to several newsletters about interpreting in different localities. Browsing through them can give you ideas about current trends and problems shared by interpreters everywhere. Interpreting newsletters may be found through the WRLC Libraries Catalog, Keyword search in ALADIN using these terms:

• interpreters AND deaf AND periodicals

OTHER RESOURCES

Videotapes

You can find videos about interpreting for the deaf in the WRLC Libraries Catalog section of the ALADIN online catalog. In a Keyword search, use these terms:

• interpreting AND "sign language" AND videorecording
• interpreting AND oral AND videorecording

Deaf Subject Files

Vertical files include materials such as newspaper clippings, brochures, maps, poetry, and other non-book printed materials. To find vertical file materials about interpreting for the deaf, look in the Deaf Subject Files on the Lower Level of the Library, next to the Archives. These files are kept locked. To use them, ask an Archives staff member for help. Try the following subject headings:

• Interpreting for the Deaf
• Interpreting for the Deaf-Alaska [or other state name]
• Interpreting for the Deaf-Study and teaching
• Court Litigation-Interpreting for the Deaf

Remember: If you are having trouble locating information or if you would like any additional help, please ask at the Service Desk.