ASL What Does it Mean

ASL What does it mean?

ASL, American Sign Language, is the main language used among Deaf people in America and it is becoming an in demand language for people to Interpret, the need is ever growing. “While the number of college students studying Spanish, French and German increased only modestly from 2006 to 2009, enrollment in American Sign Language — the fourth most-popular language — surged more than 16 percent, according to a new report from the Modern Language Association.” Tamar Lewin, New York Times Education. The growth is insurmountable and extremely helpful to know for those who would like to go into the field of interpreting or learn sign language in general because they will have a better idea of what to expect in the job market.

 A little history on ASL and how it came to be the language it is now, “ASL was developed by American Deaf people to communicate with each other and has existed as long as there have been Deaf Americans. Standardization was begun in 1817 when Laurent Clerc and Thomas H. Gallaudet established the first school for the Deaf in the U.S. Students afterwards spread the use of ASL to other parts of the U.S. and Canada.” It is a beautiful language and can be learned through many avenues, such as classes at a college or high school, online or from those who reside in the Deaf community, depending on what you would like to do.

The American Sign Language Alphabet courtesy of http://www.crockettacademy.com/  

“There have been times when there language was in jeopardy and Deaf people were forced to speak and talk without the use of their language.” When the Mind Hears by Harlan Lane.It would have been a travesty if they had lost their language and culture because of the richness the language and culture bring to the world.

The need for good, qualified, certified interpreters is ever growing and continues to grow. “Job Outlook, 2010-20: The projected rate of change in employment for the 10-year timeframe between 2010 and 2020. The average growth rate for all occupations is 14 percent.” Published Tuesday June 26,2012. Salt Lake Community College student, Melissa Espinosa, said this of the interpreting program, “it is a very hard career but I know it will be rewarding. “Since graduation and taking the certification tests he has gone on to become a certified interpreter and works with Deaf clients all day long. She feels like it is more rewarding than she ever dreamt and loves that she made the career choice she did. There are many like her that enjoy the life of an interpreter and love to learn about the rich culture the Deaf community has to offer. The story of becoming an interpreter is a long in depth story and involves many elements, starting with what you school you want to go to and what KIND of ASL Interpreter you would personally like to become. For those who have chosen to become interpreters, they experience new challenges everyday anything from simple phone calls between a mother and father to a trip to the doctor’s office.

 I feel that much of the advertisement that would show up along side my article Would be ones that advertise Schools, working with the Deaf, Deaf colleges and the likes. I feel that the venues would be most successful if they have to with Deaf culture or sign language interpreters.