Welcome to My Portfolio!
Hey there! Welcome to my capstone portfolio. This portfolio demonstrates the cumulative skills, knowledge, and competencies I have acquired during my time in the American Sign Language-English Interpreting (ASLEI) program at UNC. The included artifacts represent a range of courses and assignments completed throughout the program. This portfolio serves as evidence of my developing competence and uses reflections to acknowledge areas where I will continue to work and grow. It is a core belief in my work that the development of an interpreter's skills and knowledge is never truly complete, and I will work daily as a practitioner to ensure that my actions align with that belief.
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The competencies represented in this portfolio are drawn from Witter-Merithew & Johnson's (2005) research published in Toward Competent Practice: Conversations with Stakeholders. The 34 Entry-to-Practice Competencies for ASL-English Interpreters outline the foundational knowledge and skills a practitioner should possess upon entering the field. These competencies were developed through conversations with interpreters, interpreter educators, Deaf community members, and other consumers and stakeholders of interpreting services. They also built on documented gaps in the skills of hearing interpreters — that is, interpreters whose first language is spoken English rather than ASL — particularly those new to practice.
UNC's curriculum has been designed with these competencies in mind, and I have been building on them throughout the program. As I approach the conclusion of my training, I do not consider myself to have mastered any of these competencies; I do not view professional practice as a destination one arrives at, but rather as a continuous process of becoming. What follows is not a record of completion, but a deliberate account of where I am across the competencies and their Domains, how I got here, and the practitioner I am committed to becoming.
Below is a brief introduction to each Domain. To learn more or see the artifacts that belong to that Domain, click the read more button.
I hope you enjoy a peek into my journey so far. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the work, please feel free to contact me using the information on the contact page. Thank you!
The 34 Entry-to-practice Competencies for ASL-English Interpreters
These competency-based standards are driven by a vision of what is required for competent interpreting practice and are grounded in the day-to-day experience of practitioners. The vision is to elevate the standards of competent practice for entry into the interpreting profession.
Domain #2: Human Relations
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Centers on interpersonal skills for working with colleagues, consumers, and employers.
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Show respect, responsibility, and collegiality.
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Advocate for fair employment conditions.
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Use culturally appropriate communication in ASL, English, and contact signing.
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Respect cultural differences and apply appropriate strategies in varied group settings.
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Collaborate effectively with teams and maintain professional boundaries.
Domain #4: Interpretation Skills
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Covers technical abilities for accurate and reliable ASL-English interpretation.
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Apply academic/world knowledge in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation.
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Analyze interpreting performance of self and peers.
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Work effectively in team interpreting scenarios.
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Adjust interpretation based on consumer feedback.
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Negotiate meaning and seek clarification appropriately.
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Use interpreting technology and equipment effectively.
Domain #1: THeory & KNowledge
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Focuses on the academic foundation and general knowledge needed for effective interpreting.
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Demonstrate awareness of current and historical events and societal systems.
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Understand linguistics, cross-cultural communication, and interpreting theories.
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Apply theory to analyze interpreting samples and linguistic differences.
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Recognize professional demands, ethical decision-making, and self-care strategies.
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Compare majority and minority cultures, including Deaf history and events.
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Critically review interpreting literature and research.
​Domain #5: Professionalism
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Relates to ethics, career development, and commitment to the profession.
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Commit to lifelong learning and self-assessment.
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Plan, adapt, and manage assignments professionally.
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Maintain self-awareness, discretion, and conflict resolution skills.
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Demonstrate professional integrity and adhere to ethical standards.
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Participate in professional organizations and activities.
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Support and contribute to the Deaf community.
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Identify community resources for Deaf individuals.
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Understand state/national certification, licensure, and legal frameworks affecting interpreting.