How can I become an ASL interpreter?

Question

How can I become an ASL interpreter?

Answer 1

Definitely take university courses to learn the basics of the language. More importantly, learn about the hearing impaired culture.  There are social acceptable behaviors in the hearing culture that are not necessarily acceptable behaviors in the hearing impaired culture.  Remember that signs are geographic/regional. There are differences or variances in the way signs "look."  The advice to talk to adults in the hearing impaired community is sound.  I sign with children and signing with adults is very very difficult.  If you want to be good at what you do, you must use the skill daily.  Your course instructors can give you information on becoming a certified interpreter.

Answer 2

There are many interpreter training programs throughout the United States (I'm assuming you are in the US since you didn't ask about BSL, etc -- though ASL is not RESTRICTED to the US).

You can check with your local community college where you get the most punch for your education dollars.  If they have an ITP - it will include ASL as well as Interpreting courses.  Through these courses, you will usually (hopefully) be required to attend Deaf events where you'll meet other community members who happen to be Deaf.  Socializing with the Deaf and HoH communities will greatly increase your capacity for success in your chosen field.

Hopefully the first thing you'll learn is to not use the term "hearing impaired" as one answer indicated.

Thankfully, more and more agencies, schools, etc are requiring certification.  This is the part of your education which will take the longest (depending of course on the level of certification you seek).  Certification is granted by several entities (EIPA, ESSE, RID, etc).  The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf is the most widely accepted certification and is, quite honestly, the standard.  Check out the links below:

Answer 3

Enroll in ASL class, go through the paces, graduate to interpreter training.

Hang out with deaf folks, and USE it.  You have to use the language to learn to communicate effectively.

It will take a while...years...unless you already have a good working knowledge of ASL.  Of course, you will be an "interpreter of the deaf", so you will also learn SEE and Pidgin...not all deaf / HoH know pure ASL.  

good luck to you!