The audience watched with rapt attention as the performers’ hands moved, sometimes fluidly back and forth and sometimes with a jerk or a twist to convey the emotion of the song. Laughs and yells of encouragement punctuated the music as the songs came to life in front of a packed room of Deaf and hearing audience members.
Held in early August, “So You Think You Can Interpret: Music” was a chance for Collin College’s Interpreter Education Program (IEP) students to show the artistry that goes into interpreting music. Performing to music ranging from rock and R&B to gospel and country, students and graduates of the program put on a crowd-pleasing show.
Not always a strict translation of song lyrics, the performances were nonetheless interpretations of the music in a way that communicated its intent to audience members who know American Sign Language (ASL). The performances are becoming more popular outside the Deaf community, as well, with clips of interpreters signing at concerts going viral on YouTube and other social media platforms.
“I think everyone is just more curious about this now,” IEP Discipline Lead Kenya Rutherford said. “You see sign language interpreters on television more and more. You see them in movies and on the news – CNN, Fox – and the interest has grown.”
Rutherford said the program has a similar event each year in class but decided to open it up to a public audience after other educators learned about it. As for this year’s performances, she was gratified to see the students’ educations on display to friends, family, and the community.
“Everybody was so amazing. I am so proud of the students and the performers,” she said. “Everyone who performed was a current student or an alum. I am just so proud of everyone and all the work they put into it.”
A panel of judges comprised of professors and program graduates awarded first, second, and third-place honors at the event.
Adriana Gonzalez, a graduate of the program this year, took top honors. She was glad to see such a large audience but hopes for even more people next year.
“I am really excited to come back next year to watch it, and hopefully we will have the whole theater filled,” Gonzalez said.
Asked about her future interpreting career, Gonzalez said, “Collin College has definitely prepared me to be an interpreter because all of the staff and the crew have been very transparent and open about what is needed to do the job well and have prepared us in that way.”
Rachelle Byrd, another graduate this year and second place winner, said Collin College has given her a solid foundation to build on, especially as a person of color (POC).
“My long-term goal is to be one of the most sought after POC court interpreters, with a specialty focus on advocacy for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) defendants,” Byrd said, adding that, as far as the contest, it was “an awesome way to showcase a snippet of what we do and how we’ve grown.”
Jessica Gorden, a current student and third-place winner, appreciated the event’s camaraderie.
“I thought it was awesome to have the support of the professors and the ASL lab staff here,” Gorden said.
Are you interested in learning ASL or becoming an interpreter? Learn more at www.collin.edu/department/asliep.