Certificate in Trilingual Interpreting (Non-Credit)

Overview

This non-credit Certificate in Trilingual Interpreting (CITRI) program is taught exclusively online and will run from September to May. This program provides professional specialized development for trilingual interpreters and aspiring trilingual interpreters with fundamental tools that contribute to their growth as interpreters and help them build skills for their trilingual work. Participants will practice their skills in bilingual interpretation between ASL and Spanish, English and Spanish, and ASL and English. In parallel with existing modules, this program offers supplemental content for participants who are fluent in Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin). Upon completion of the program, the interpreter may receive up to 15 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf which can be used to meet trilingual CEU requirements for the Texas BEI Trilingual certification.

The online application deadline is June 1. Applicants will receive an email by July 1, with a decision on their application status.

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ASLIE is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This certificate is a Professional Studies (PS) program offering up to 15 CEUs at the Some Content Knowledge Level. (The program also includes some instructional material which counts toward RID CMP’s Power, Privilege, and Oppression requirement.) Should you need an accommodation, please contact Caleb Miller at clmnss@rit.edu. This certificate program upholds nondiscriminatory practices and encourages a learning environment which is free from bias and promotes mutual respect.

Goals for Spanish Speaking Interpreters

After completing this program the interpreter will be able to:

  1. Describe at least three predominant attitudes hearing people have towards Deaf students in Spanish-speaking countries and the United States.
  2. Describe a general knowledge of basic services provided in Latin America and the Caribbean and contrast them from those provided in the U.S.
  3. Explain the main differences in communication styles between Mexican, Central American, South American, and Caribbean Spanish.
  4. Define their personal cultural values, beliefs, and perceptions.
  5. Understand and apply cultural values when interpreting for Latinx consumers and their families.
  6. Articulate how oppression, perceived and real, affects the interpreting process and intended outcomes.
  7. Demonstrate how to identify a Spanish-speaking hearing consumer’s country of origin and language use (regionalisms, form of address, etc.) to determine a target language.
  8. Describe types of oppression and how they manifest in Latinx communities.
  9. Understand that competency in one language pair does not automatically transfer to a different language pair.
  10. Identify professional organizations and other resources that support trilingual interpreters and bilingual spoken language interpreters.
  11. Demonstrate the ability to render a sight translation, and recognize how to do so, between Spanish and ASL, and English and Spanish.
  12. Demonstrate the ability to interpret consecutively, and recognize how to do so, between ASL, English, and Spanish.
  13. Demonstrate the ability to interpret simultaneously, and recognize how to do so, between ASL, English, and Spanish.
  14. Demonstrate creativity in adapting training resources designed for bilingual interpreters to aid and improve trilingual interpreting skills.
  15. Mobilize themselves and others to strengthen and foster growth in the specialty area of trilingual interpreting.

Goals for Chinese Speaking Interpreters

After completing this program the interpreter will be able to:

  1. Describe at least three differences in social or cultural characteristics across the Chinese diaspora population.
  2. Describe at least three predominant attitudes hearing people in Chinese communities have towards deaf people.
  3. Identify at least three common Chinese dialects used in the U.S.
  4. Explain Chinese regional variations in mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong.
  5. Understand and apply cultural values when interpreting for Chinese consumers and their families.
  6. Articulate how oppression and audism against deaf people in Chinese communities impact the interpreting process and intended outcomes.
  7. Describe ways to identify and mitigate imbalanced power dynamics between deaf and hearing consumers in a Chinese-speaking trilingual interpreting setting.
  8. Demonstrate how to identify a Chinese-speaking hearing consumer’s country of origin and language use to determine a target language.
  9. Identify at least three resources or tools for trilingual interpreters to improve their Chinese language skills.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to interpret consecutively, and recognize how to do so, between ASL, English, and a Chinese language.
  11. Demonstrate the ability to interpret simultaneously, and recognize how to do so, between ASL, English, and a Chinese language.
  12. Describe at least three settings Chinese-speaking trilingual interpreters encounter and explain the unique considerations for each setting.

The following criteria will be used to select applicants to participate in this program:

  • Possess proficient reading and writing skills in Spanish and English.
  • Possess heritage speaker or heritage like level of Spanish fluency.
  • Applicants must currently be working sign language interpreters.
  • Applicants must agree to complete the entire program including attendance to synchronous components. (No refunds will be given)
  • Interpreters who wish to participate in the Chinese track (Cantonese or Mandarin) must possess speaking fluency in a Chinese language; reading and writing proficiency is considered.

The program comprises approximately 150 hours of synchronous and blended online instruction.

This program runs from September to May.

Upon completion, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion in the Certificate in Trilingual Interpreting program from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

The cost of the Trilingual Certificate program is $1,600.

You will need a high-speed internet connection, a microphone, a webcam, and the ability to record and upload videos.

Curriculum

Module 1: Foundational Knowledge
Participants will acquire foundational knowledge of the lifestyle, beliefs, challenges and issues specific to Latinoamerica’s identity.

Module 2: Language and Communication
Participants will develop an awareness and understanding of the nuances and variations of the language and communication that exist among Latino countries.

Module 3: Culture
Participants will incorporate knowledge of the normative cultural values of Latinx consumers in order to communicate with and respond appropriately.

Module 4: Assessment
Participants will practice assessment of the consumer and the setting and apply techniques to render a message that all parties can understand, being especially mindful of the differing regionalisms, idioms, jargons and accents among LatinoAmerican countries.

Module 5: Interpreting Practice
Participants will conduct self-assessments to acquire and improve skills for managing communication flow, effective-teaming and placement that are necessary in trilingual settings.

Module 6: Professional Practice
Participants will be informed about current trilingual interpreting professional practices, organizations, related certifications, and resources.


Supplemental Content for Chinese Speaking Interpreters

Module 1: Foundational Knowledge
Participants will acquire foundational knowledge of the Chinese diaspora, cultural and political beliefs, and Deaf communities in Chinese-speaking regions.

Module 2: Language and Communication
Participants will develop an understanding of languages, dialects, and regional variations used in Chinese-speaking regions and explore aspects of sociolinguistics salient in Chinese communities.

Module 3: Culture
Participants will explore various aspects of Chinese culture such as family dynamics, beliefs, and traditions, as well as how oppression and prejudice against deaf people in Chinese communities impact communication and interpretation.

Module 4: Assessment
Participants will practice assessment of the consumers and the setting and apply techniques to render a message that all parties can understand, being mindful of language variations, power dynamics, and cultural differences in the Chinese context.

Module 5: Interpreting Practice
Participants will conduct self-assessments, identify resources and tools, and engage in practice sessions to improve their Chinese language skills and interpreting skills in trilingual settings.

Module 6: Professional Practice
Participants will be informed about current trilingual interpreting professional practices in settings common to Chinese-speaking trilingual interpreters such as family, education, business, and interpreting abroad.

Apply Online

You may use the online application form to apply for acceptance into the NTID Certificate in Trilingual Interpreting program.

CITRI Application Form

Program Payment

If you have been accepted into the NTID Certificate in Trilingual Interpreting program, please contact Bre Haywood (bre.haywood@rit.edu) for payment.

The full cost for the certificate program is $1,600.

You may pay for the certificate program in full ($1,600), or pay in two installments of $800.

The due dates for payments are:

  • September 1, 2024 - first installment or full tuition
  • February 1, 2025 - second installment

Program Personnel

Caleb Lopez Miller, M.S.

Caleb Lopez Miller is from Colombia, South America. Before he came to the United States, he graduated with a degree in finances and management and was an interpreter for the Deaf in Colombian Sign Language. Caleb has lived in the United States since 2001. He is a trilingual interpreter with a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language interpretation and a master’s degree in health care interpretation. He has co-taught interpreting classes at the local college and also has presented workshops for sign language interpreters nationally and internationally.

Caleb Lopez Miller es de Colombia, Sur America. Antes de venir a los Estados Unidos, Él se graduó como Administrador Financiero y trabajó como intérprete para los sordos en Lengua de señas Colombiana. Caleb vive en los Estados Unidos desde el año 2001. Él es un intérprete trilingüe con una carrera de Interpretación en Lengua de Señas Americana y una maestría en Interpretación en campos Médicos. Caleb ha enseñado clases de interpretación en el Colegio Comunitario local y ha presentado talleres para intérpretes en Lengua de Señas a nivel nacional e internacional.

Contact Us

Caleb Lopez Miller, CITRI Program Director
ASL and Interpreting Education
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Rochester Institute of Technology
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, New York 14623
clmnss@rit.edu