Interpretation Skills: American Sign Language to English
by Marty M. Taylor, PhD
Published 2002 ISBN 978-0-96977-924-7

Interpretation is a very complex task. Practitioners, students and educators live with this complexity every day. They know that “giving voice,” to a signer’s discourse calls on a whole family of skills — but exactly what are they? How do skills needed to interpret from ASL to English differ from those needed to interpret from English to ASL? And, if those essential skills are not clear, how do we become more accurate, more eloquent, more faithful interpreters? 

These are questions that have motivated Dr. Marty Taylor’s research for over 25 years. Building on her earlier studies of interpretation, she extended her research to analyze the specific skills needed to move from ASL to English. In this book, she provides major insight into the key elements of accurate and eloquent interpretation of a signer’s message into English. Forty-one (41) distinct skills are identified and carefully defined, along with full descriptions of the interpretation errors that commonly occur when any particular skill is missing. 

The book steps readers through a logical path of skill development. There are careful explanations, plentiful examples, a comprehensive subject index and clear guidance on how to use the book to best advantage. An essential reference book for your collection!

• ASL Comprehension: Analyzes how an interpreter processes a signer’s lexicon, fingerspelling, non-manual markers, and discourse.
• English Production: Guides the delivery of spoken English, focusing on appropriate lexicon, public speaking flow, discourse strategies, composure, and professional appearance.
• 41 Essential Skills: Identifies and defines 41 distinct skills needed to render an accurate and eloquent English interpretation from ASL.
• Error Analysis: Outlines common interpretation mistakes and breakdowns that happen when a specific skill is missing.
• Training and Assessment: Used worldwide in interpreter education programs, mentorships, and accreditation evaluations.
• Companion Resources: Pairs with Dr. Taylor’s companion text, Interpretation Skills: English to American Sign Language, which categorizes 85 key skills across eight major features, alongside instructional DVDs.

The book steps readers through a logical path of skill development. There are careful explanations, plentiful examples. An excellent resource to use with:

• Companion book Interpretation Skills: English to ASL (Second Edition)
• Pursuit of ASL: Interesting Facts Using Classifiers DVD
• Pursuit of ASL: Interesting Facts Using Numbers DVD

About the Author

Dr. Marty Taylor has been an interpreter, an educator, a researcher and consultant in ASL-English interpretation for over 35 years. She is a nationally certified interpreter in both Canada and the United States.