IMET - Interpreting Linguistically & Culturally Induced Information

One of the many tasks of interpreters is to mediate between cultures and languages. For ASL/English interpreters on a basic level we are mediating between Deaf culture and the American mainstream culture. On a deeper level there are many subcultures within the Deaf community, and America. As we delve deeper there are even more cultures across the globe that we may need to mediate. Linguistically we are mediating between American spoken and/or written English and American Sign Language (ASL). As we delve deeper within these languages there are various dialects, accents, and regional variations. The purpose of this professional development module is to provide strategies and tactics for interpreters as they mediate culturally induced information and linguistically induced information (CII/LII) while interpreting.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

As a result of completion of this course, participants will:

• Explore how cultural elements influence language and communication.
• Provide examples of CII/LII.
• Review literature and research on the topic of CII/LII
• Identify CII/LII in both English and ASL texts.
• Plan how they will mediate CII/LII instances from a source language to a target language.
• Analyze their interpreting work for effective and missed opportunities of mediation of CII/LII

This self-paced course is designed for independent learners who wish to explore the material at their own pace. There is no facilitator or instructor, and no feedback will be given on assignments. All course materials are provided, allowing participants to manage their own learning experience. Completion is flexible, enabling learners to progress according to their individual schedules and goals.

This course is structured into lessons that are designed to take 2-3 hours each to complete. The anticipated length of the course ranges from 16 to 24 hours. Participants will have up to 180 days to complete the course, otherwise they will automatically be removed and required to re-enroll.