Date of Award
5-2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity
Department
ASL & Interpreting
First Advisor
Justin M. Small
Department/School
ASL and Interpreting
Abstract
This study explores the experience of sign language interpreters who exist between and beyond female/male gender binaries. Limited research in the field of sign language interpreting to date centers the experiences of transgender and non-binary interpreters, prompting the need for inquiry into this population. Through a mixed-methods approach using surveys (N=31), interviews (n=4) and a focus group (n=4) participants were asked to describe experiences with colleagues, interpreter users, hiring bodies and the general interpreting field. Three themes emerged from the findings including (a) collegial relationships indicating both lack of support and instances of collegial solidarity; (b) personhood of interpreters pertaining to extralinguistic knowledge and interpreter identity; and (c) binary constructions within the field of interpreting. This work seeks to build interpreter scholarship beyond gender binaries and incorporate a gender expansive foundation for research to come.
Recommended Citation
Hellewell, Tristen Evah. (2022). Interpreting Beyond the Binary: An Exploration into the Experience of American Sign Language Interpreters Beyond and Between Female/Male Binaries. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maisce/44