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The Evolution Of Coda Interpreters, Athena Crosby-Martin

Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity Thesis or Action Research Project

Hearing children born to deaf parents, known as Codas are born into a world where they are bimodal bilingual, as well as bicultural. They must navigate the distinct differences between spoken and signed languages and hearing and Deaf communities, often acting as interpreters for situations well beyond their maturity level. Codas simultaneously belong to both worlds, but to neither. Many Codas go on to become professional interpreters, and their unique childhood experience and identities create a space of complexity within the interpreting community. Older Codas grew up in a time before technological aids to the Deaf were available, or professional …