Investigating the Impact of ASL Proficiency Levels on ASL-English Interpretation

Date of dissertation defense: March 30, 2018

Study description: The study investigated how select language features in signers, with varying American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency levels, may impact novice ASL-English interpreters’ interpreted work.

Study results: Findings showed that ASLPI Level 4 signers produced the most language features, while ASLPI Level 5 signers produced the most finger spelled words. Interpreters performed better with ASLPI Level 3 and Level 4 stimulus materials as compared to Level 5. Overall, interpreters struggled with complex signed phrases that included more language features. Fingerspelling words in stimulus video materials impacted most of the interpreted work products.

Contact information: kgamachejr@ivc.edu