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Full-Text Articles in Sign Languages

Adjusting To Change: Learning American Sign Language Online During A Global Pandemic, Kara Gournaris May 2022

Adjusting To Change: Learning American Sign Language Online During A Global Pandemic, Kara Gournaris

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

Second language acquisition of American Sign Language (ASL) requires opportunities for engagement with native language models (Krashen, 1988). The shift to online instruction due to the impact of COVID-19 presented unique challenges for ASL programs across the United States. With little time to redesign courses, instructors and students had to navigate the experience of online learning together. The students who participated in this 2020 study at Western Oregon University (WOU) shared their raw experiences related to this transition, and unfortunately, one year later, many of the same barriers reported by students persist. The purpose of this article is to share …


Forced Transitions: Learning Asl In A Virtual Environment, Kara Gournaris Oct 2020

Forced Transitions: Learning Asl In A Virtual Environment, Kara Gournaris

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

Engagement with native language models is essential for second language acquisition. Social distancing mandates made this interaction nearly impossible for students learning American Sign Language (ASL), at a small rural university in western Oregon. COVID-19 brought with it many challenges, not the least of which was a hurried transition from face-to-face to online learning. The author found that some courses degraded in content and instruction when shifting to an online platform. Without access to community events where native language models were present, ASL students had less opportunities for incidental learning, legitimate peripheral participation, and connection within Deaf communities of practice.


Designated Or Preferred? A Deaf Academic And Two Signed Language Interpreters Working Together For A Phd Defence: A Case Study Of Best Practice, Maartje De Meulder, Jemina M. Napier, Christopher Stone Dec 2018

Designated Or Preferred? A Deaf Academic And Two Signed Language Interpreters Working Together For A Phd Defence: A Case Study Of Best Practice, Maartje De Meulder, Jemina M. Napier, Christopher Stone

International Journal of Interpreter Education

In this paper we present an appreciative inquiry case study of our work together in a PhD defence, which we believe demonstrates a best practice in the field of signed language interpreting. We call into question the meaning and relevance of the ‘designated interpreter’ model, examining whether there is a ‘perfect formula’ for deaf academics and interpreters working together, not only in PhD defences, but also in academia more generally. We also challenge the very system for the provision of interpreter services as an institution creating structural inequalities, because it is heavily based on privilege. We argue that what is …


Lost In The Shuffle: Deaf-Parented Interpreters And Their Paths To Interpreting Careers, Amy Williamson May 2016

Lost In The Shuffle: Deaf-Parented Interpreters And Their Paths To Interpreting Careers, Amy Williamson

International Journal of Interpreter Education

Deaf-parented individuals have experiences as child language brokers (Napier, in press) and as native and heritage users of signed language (Compton, 2014) prior to engaging in a formal interpreter education program or seeking training to become an interpreter. Anecdotally, deaf-parented interpreters say that educational opportunities do not meet their specific needs and skill sets but instead are designed for the L2 user of signed language. A goal of this study was to expand the limited research that currently exists in the field of interpreter education as it relates to L1 users of American Sign Language (ASL)—specifically, deaf-parented individuals. This study …


Leadership: Perspectives From Deaf Leaders And Interpreter Leaders, Marty M. Taylor Nov 2013

Leadership: Perspectives From Deaf Leaders And Interpreter Leaders, Marty M. Taylor

International Journal of Interpreter Education

This article examines leadership from the perspectives of 50 deaf leaders and interpreter leaders from Canada and the United States. This qualitative research study contributes to knowledge about what leaders value and what are important leadership practices to each group of leaders. Data were collected through individual interviews using semistructured open-ended questions. Twenty most frequent themes were identified in the interview data. The values of respect and communication were strongly related among and within the two groups. When participants were asked about the differences and similarities between deaf leaders and interpreter leaders, five themes were identified: the importance of relationships, …