2008 Woodie Awards
High demand for interpreters requires higher enrollment in trilingual program
By Jon Coker
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
Originally published: 11/1/07 at 4:09 PM CSTLast update: 11/1/07 at 4:08 PM CST
The interpreting for the deaf department has the only trilingual certification program in the United States.
"There are deaf people of all shapes, colors and sizes, and it's nice to have interpreters of various demographics who they can relate with. It makes them feel more comfortable," Julie A. Rázuri, instructor in the trilingual interpreter certification program, said Oct. 15.
There are eight students in the enhanced interpreter training class that meets Saturdays.
She stressed Texas' demand for more interpreters fluent in Spanish, English, and American Sign Language, and said recruiting more students from various demographics would help the program expand.
Rosa Lucio, department secretary, explained the structure of the program here.
"Other universities offer both Spanish and American Sign Language in separate departments, but students at those schools are not educated on combining the two, where at SAC, students learn how to interpret the languages as they develop them," Lucio said.
This college's interpreter training and enhanced certification program has been hailed as "state of the art" by universities all over the state of Texas.
To obtain an enhanced trilingual certificate, students must complete 72 coursework hours in the interpreting program.
The program also requires a minimum of 240 hours of internship and a passing grade on the certification test.
Rázuri said by the end of the course series, students are fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language and ready for a job as a translator.
In a recent census, statistics showed that 80 percent of the certified interpreters in Texas are female. Department faculty believe this is because women tend to be more nurturing and patient.
Statistics also show that about one-eighth of the deaf population in Texas is Hispanic, and by 2050, it is estimated that the ratio will double.
"In 1999, the Legislature said that someone needed to respond to the needs of the deaf community, and one year later, SAC picked up the challenge and defended the nonprofit trilingual program," Rázuri said.
Trilingual interpreters translate Mass at noon Fridays in the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland St.
For more information on the program, call Lucio or Chair Lauri Metcalf at 733-2071 or to contact an interpreter for an event, call Jo Hilton at 785-6084.
"There are deaf people of all shapes, colors and sizes, and it's nice to have interpreters of various demographics who they can relate with. It makes them feel more comfortable," Julie A. Rázuri, instructor in the trilingual interpreter certification program, said Oct. 15.
There are eight students in the enhanced interpreter training class that meets Saturdays.
She stressed Texas' demand for more interpreters fluent in Spanish, English, and American Sign Language, and said recruiting more students from various demographics would help the program expand.
Rosa Lucio, department secretary, explained the structure of the program here.
"Other universities offer both Spanish and American Sign Language in separate departments, but students at those schools are not educated on combining the two, where at SAC, students learn how to interpret the languages as they develop them," Lucio said.
This college's interpreter training and enhanced certification program has been hailed as "state of the art" by universities all over the state of Texas.
To obtain an enhanced trilingual certificate, students must complete 72 coursework hours in the interpreting program.
The program also requires a minimum of 240 hours of internship and a passing grade on the certification test.
Rázuri said by the end of the course series, students are fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language and ready for a job as a translator.
In a recent census, statistics showed that 80 percent of the certified interpreters in Texas are female. Department faculty believe this is because women tend to be more nurturing and patient.
Statistics also show that about one-eighth of the deaf population in Texas is Hispanic, and by 2050, it is estimated that the ratio will double.
"In 1999, the Legislature said that someone needed to respond to the needs of the deaf community, and one year later, SAC picked up the challenge and defended the nonprofit trilingual program," Rázuri said.
Trilingual interpreters translate Mass at noon Fridays in the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland St.
For more information on the program, call Lucio or Chair Lauri Metcalf at 733-2071 or to contact an interpreter for an event, call Jo Hilton at 785-6084.
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Megan
posted 6/17/08 @ 12:25 PM CST
DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
OFFICE FOR DEAF & HARD OF HEARING SERVICES
TRILINGUAL INTERPRETER TRAINING
TRILINGUAL INTERPRETER TRAINING - REGISTRATION
This training is sponsored by The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services, Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS), Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) and Sorenson Communications. (Continued…)
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