The Academic Foundations of Interpreting Studies: An Introduction to Its Theories

The Academic Foundations of Interpreting Studies is the first introductory course book that explores the theoretical foundations used in sign language interpreting studies. Authors Roy, Brunson, and Stone examine the disciplines whose theoretical frameworks and methodologies have influenced the academic study of interpreting. With this text, explanations for how interpreted events occur, how interpreted products are created, and how the interpreting process is studied can be framed within a variety of theoretical perspectives, forming a foundation for the emerging transdiscipline of Interpreting Studies.

As sign language interpreting has emerged and evolved in the last 20 years as an academic field of study, the scope of learning has broadened to include fields beyond the language and culture of deaf people. This text surveys six disciplines that have informed the study of sign language interpreting: history, translation, linguistics, sociology, social psychology, and cognitive psychology, along with their major ideas, principal scholars, and ways of viewing human interaction. Each chapter includes clear learning goals, definitions, discussion questions, and images to aid understanding. The Academic Foundations of Interpreting Studies is required reading for upper-level undergraduate or first-year graduate students in interpreting, Deaf studies, and sign language programs.

Jeremy L. Brunson is the Executive Director of the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Gallaudet University. He worked previously as an applied sociologist and independent consultant. He is also an American Sign Language–English interpreter specializing in legal interpreting. Brunson’s research interests are in the broad area of the sociology of interpreting and live at the intersection of sociology work and the profession, sociology of disability, and critical theory. He has published and presented about video relay service, educational interpreting, the invisible labor deaf people perform, the professionalization of sign language interpreting, and ethics.

Christopher A. Stone is a senior lecturer (associate professor) of Interpreting and Deaf Studies at the University of Wolverhampton in England. He is also a nationally certified BSL–ASL–English interpreter and holds an IS accreditation from WFD-WASLI.