Interpreter Q & A: Interpreter Credentials

By Brenda Cartwright
Tuesday, April 29, 2014

This article is written by Brenda Cartwright (BC). Brenda is a seasoned interpreter, a master teacher and a well known author. BC also contributes numerous blog articles for Signing Savvy. Look for them on the “Articles” tab on our website.

This article is part of our "Dear BC, Interpreter Q & A” series, which answers questions on interpreting and Deaf culture from multiple perspectives. There isn’t always one “right” answer to every question, and different people have different opinions on how to handle different scenarios. That is why more than one perspective is provided in this series, however, more opinions always exist. These perspectives are gathered from talking with experienced interpreters and deaf consumers from across the United States and Canada and do not solely come from the author.

Dear BC,

It just so happens that I’ve been collecting interpreter business cards for a long time now and I’m convinced that anyone and everyone these days can call themselves an "interpreter" without any credentials to back up their claim. Truth be told, our consumers aren’t always familiar with all our acronyms and the terminology we use for certification levels, so they can be easily misled. Here are some examples of titles I have in my collection from non-certified "interpreters" out there:

"ASL Interpreter"
"State Certified Interpreter"
"ITP Graduate"
"Freelance Interpreter"
"Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired" and my favorite… "Hearing Impaired Interpreter"… this was a hearing person!

Sincerely,
Concerned Interpreter

An Experienced Interpreter's Perspective:

"Consumer Beware!" That’s really what they should print on their business cards, although I doubt we will ever see it. One of the reasons I’m a strong proponent of licensing is the need to establish standards and ensure that only qualified people are practicing in the interpreting profession. Many hearing consumers and even some Deaf consumers don’t know what it takes to become qualified. As more states get on the bandwagon with licensure I believe this problem will start to disappear. In the meantime, we need to continue to educate consumers so they can make an informed choice when it comes to interpreting services.

Experienced Deaf Consumer's Perspective:

First of all, I would ask the interpreter if he or she has certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). If so, what kind of certification, and when? If he or she has no certification then I would ask where they got their training from and who their teachers were. If this person did not attend an interpreter training program, then I would discuss the importance of getting formal training, certification and state laws out there requiring it. If this person was assigned to me from an agency, I would inform his or her supervisor about my concerns and suggest they not utilize this person in the future.

Have you experienced this problem too? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

View/Add Comments (7 comments)

Comments

Great article!

Jillian @ Signing SavvyFriday, May 16, 2014

Thanks Brenda for the great article!

But here's one catch

Savvy User BruceFriday, May 16, 2014

I hire interpreters for an organization I belong to, and certification is mandatory for us. I wrote the official policy that says so. I'm a believer in that being an absolute.

But I have a problem elsewhere. My church is trying to establish a Deaf ministry. First step: An interpreted 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. And there we run into a brick wall ... no interpreters.

An experienced interpreter I've worked with in my other capacity told me that "... religious interpreters are difficult to find and secure in this area ...." I thought she could do anything, but was stunned to learn that in 22 years she's never done religous interpreting. And I'm greatly disheartened by how right she is. With scores of interpreters in and around Seattle, we have been unable to find even one who has experience interpreting religious services and would be available on Sunday morning. Or even one who's open to learning about religious signing and taking on our job.

She also told me that "qualified" church interpreters in this area tend not to be certified, which I've found is true. The three churches in the area that hold interpreted services are all using uncertified interpreters; however, the Deaf I've talked to consider them sufficiently qualified. But we have not even been able to find a "qualified" one for our church's need.

How do we get around that roadblock?

Religious settings

Brenda CartwrightSaturday, May 17, 2014

Dear Bruce,

I'm afraid I don't have a good answer for this one. I asked around and you're not alone, most Interpreter referral agencies do not provide interpreters for regular religous services. Churches and places of worship are responsible for finding their own interpreters. Agencies arrange services for certain occasions like weddings and funerals on request. It is difficult to find interpreters not of a given faith to interpret weekly services.

BCartwright

non-certified interpreter "titles"

Savvy User AmyMonday, July 7, 2014

what are your thoughts about "State Certified Interpreter"? If I have graduated from a recognized ITP, passed the recognized state certification test, and have fufilled all of the other requirements for licensure is that an incorrect "title" to present? Does it mean non-certified?

State Certified Interpreter

Brenda CartwrightMonday, July 7, 2014

Dear Amy,

Are there levels to your State certification? If so, State Certified Level 1 (2 or 3) would be a perfectly appropriate title for your business card and email signature. Its when there are levels but interpreters choose to gloss over that important detail that I think we get into trouble. While my students are in the ITP their title is: ITP student and the name of our college. When they graduate and they are waiting for certification results their title is: ITP graduate and the name of our college. And when they get their EIPA or BEI their title is exactly the title and number printed on the card.

Thanks for asking!

BCartwright

State Certified Interpreter

Savvy User AmyMonday, July 7, 2014

Thank you for the clarification! It IS important to disclose the level, if there is one, as that can make a huge difference. In my case, there are levels and I always disclose my complete certification level.

I know, in the past, "Certified" meant a person holding a nationally recognized certification. Do you think it is confusing or wrong to now apply that to state certifications as well?

Thank you!

History

Brenda CartwrightTuesday, July 8, 2014

Hi Amy,

You're spot on! Years ago when our test options were just RID certification and state Qualitiy Assurance (QA) we could get away with just saying "certified" to mean national certification. But now we have more testing options (BEI, EIPA) available so yes, I think it has become even more important to be up front about what test you've taken and what level you received.

Thank you opening up this dialogue. I appreciate your comments.

BCartwright

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About the Author

Brenda Cartwright is a seasoned interpreter, a master teacher, well known presenter, and author of several best selling sign language and interpreting textbooks from the RID Press. For 35 years Brenda was the Chair of the Sign Language Interpreter Program at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan.