By Olivia Sanchez
Held annually on Sept. 23, International Day of Sign Languages raises awareness about the importance of sign language to the Deaf community.
Based on the global population, approximately 20% of people are deaf. An estimated 70 million people use sign language globally as their primary form of communication, a number experts say is far too low to fully assist the Deaf population.
Some reasons for the shortage of interpreters include intensive certification requirements, high turnover and growing demand. This can create issues for the Deaf community when they need to communicate with health care providers, education personnel and employers.
Kristen Guynes is a Florida State University full-time faculty instructor in the College of Communication and Information. She teaches a rotation of six American Sign Language (ASL) and related courses, and her primary research focuses on educational sign language interpreting. She currently serves as the publications director for the National Association for Interpreters in Education (NAIE).
Before her teaching position at FSU, Guynes worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in public schools for 10 years as an educational interpreter, DHH teacher, and coordinator for a public school DHH program.
Guynes believes that the DHH community needs more attention.
“Increased awareness regarding the Deaf community’s history, values and perspectives can drastically improve the quality of their experiences across a myriad of domains,” Guynes said.
Emergency situations, according to Guynes, are just one of many examples where ASL must be accessed even by those who are not certified.
“In a medical situation, in addition to providing a certified medical interpreter, it is essential to ensure a consistent line of sight towards the interpreter and the medical professional at all times, with no visual barriers obstructing the Deaf person’s view, and proper lighting, to ensure access,” Guynes said. “Something as simple as asking the patient to lay down, or turning off the lights to read an X-ray, would be a barrier to accessing the interpreter. The need for better awareness about the Deaf community extends far beyond just those with careers in the field of ASL.”
Media interested in discussing the pressing issues surrounding International Day of Sign Languages, including the shortage of certified language experts, can reach out to faculty instructor Kristen Guynes at kristen.guynes@fsu.edu.
Kristen Guynes, faculty instructor, College of Communication and Information
1. What are some issues that could arise due to the shortage of ASL experts?
Every semester, during my very first class session of the beginning level ASL course, I emphasize the need for more professionals who can effectively serve the Deaf community, in hopes that it sparks my students’ interest for their own future careers. Without the use of proficient ASL, whether that be direct communication or through a qualified interpreter, the quality and quantity of information that Deaf individuals receive is lessened, which has a ripple effect on their decision making and potentially, lifelong impacts. However, not only does the Deaf community face an extreme shortage of qualified ASL interpreters, the provision of an interpreter alone does not result in equitable access. While ASL interpreters can help facilitate information, it is never the same experience as direct communication, which is why so many educational professionals continue to advocate for specialized schools and programs for Deaf children (despite the overarching push towards inclusion). It can be very isolating for a Deaf child, in what is supposed to be an inclusive setting, to rely completely on an interpreter as his sole communication partner and language model (without being able to communicate directly with his teachers or peers).
2. What challenges does someone face when trying to become ASL certified?
I think it’s important to note that there is not a single ASL certification, but several different ones depending on the specialization. Although I have earned multiple certifications throughout my lifetime (as a sign language interpreter, as a teacher of Deaf students and as an American Sign Language teacher), each one is unique and requires a different type of focus, particularly in terms of professional development. Since my career has shifted to formally teaching ASL over a decade ago, I am using a very different skill set than is required for professional interpreting. While there is certainly some overlap in my commitment to stay informed regarding issues impacting the Deaf community and the evolution of signs that we would use in the classroom, a qualified interpreter is going to be keeping up with interpreting regulations and signs that are evolving in the community, such as those related to politics and social issues.
3. What do you think is most important for people to know about ASL and its impact on the Deaf community?
It is a fully natural, linguistically complex, living language, which is just as unique and complicated to learn (and keep up with!) as any other [spoken] language. In my class, I always emphasize that not only is it a new language, it’s a new modality, so students have to learn how to process things visually, which takes time and practice. Despite increasing evidence to the contrary, there is still a common misconception that ASL is easier to learn than other languages, and while some students do develop a passion for it (and we know motivation correlates with learning), it is certainly not a lesser language in any way.
4. Do you think that ASL education should be more widely taught?
Absolutely. There is a world of opportunity for making personal and professional connections with Deaf individuals that do not require fluency or specialization. Even the most basic communication can build rapport, and knowing the foundations of Deaf culture can ensure more inclusive and respectful interactions. Early exposure to ASL impacted the entire trajectory of my life, including what I studied, where I moved, my career and research specializations, the connections I’ve made, and ultimately, the partner I met. As such, I am incredibly passionate about providing opportunities for students to more formally learn about the language and community.
With ASL being the third most studied language in the United States, and one of just three languages that show increasing enrollment since 2021, interest in formal ASL coursework far exceeds the availability. Our beginning-level courses fill almost instantly each semester, with sometimes upwards of 100 additional requests for entry. We also house a lab, an ASL Honors Program, an ASL Club, and an Educational Outreach program that provides free ASL classes to families with Deaf children and introductory ASL workshops in the community (supported by students from our program). We would be thrilled to open these opportunities to more students, as well as continue to see new programs and opportunities arise around the country.