Interpretation Skills: American Sign Language to English

by Marty M. Taylor

An essential resource book in the field of
ASL-English interpreting!

Interpretation is a very complex task. Practitioners, students and educators live with this complexity every day. They know that "giving voice," to a signer's discourse calls on a whole family of skills -- but exactly what are they? How do skills needed to interpret from ASL to English differ from those needed to interpret from English to ASL? And, if those essential skills are not clear, how do we become more accurate, more eloquent, more faithful interpreters?

These are questions that have motivated Dr. Marty Taylor's research for over 25 years. Building on her earlier studies of interpretation, she extended her research to analyze the specific skills needed to move from ASL to English. In this book, she provides major insight into the key elements of accurate and eloquent interpretation of a signer's message into English. Forty-one (41) distinct skills are identified and carefully defined, along with full descriptions of the interpretation errors that commonly occur when any particular skill is missing.

The book steps readers through a logical path of skill development. There are careful explanations, plentiful examples, a comprehensive subject index and clear guidance on how to use the book to best advantage. An essential reference book for your collection!

193 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Fenixbird SandS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently learned that this author (a Canadian) lectures and is wonderful....from fellow sign language interpreters (yahoo groups).

Highly technical but critiques the learner & new interpreting student in the extremely essential basic skills.... Helps us become the experts & professionals in the field that are needed today!

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having learned these interpreting skills in ASL, it was very beneficial to also learn these skills in written English.

This book is also helpful to use if you want to correct your interpreting errors.

[Nathan Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this three stars not because it sucked, because I followed the literal guide of three stars meaning "I liked it".
This book gives a list of 60-something things that make or break an interpreter. It was interesting seeing the kinds of language-learner mistakes there are. It also discusses a wide variety of points on ASL grammar, like classifiers and size and shape specifiers, which I'd never heard of.

[Gwendolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for developing interpreting skills. Wish I would have known about this book sooner. Possibly going to recommend to the program chair to mention this book or require this book earlier in the program.

This far along in the program there isn't much that I haven't heard before, but it's always great to go back and review your technique and be able to work on weak areas.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well organized, thorough, and foundational for the field. Taylor outlines the essential skills necessary for a solid interpretation in a way that makes it easy to reference during self analysis. I look forward to using this book to improve my abilities!

[Jane Doe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Highly recommend for people studying to become Sign Language Interpreters.