Interpreting & Transliterating Services

NVRC is excited to offer a new interpreting and transliterating program as an enhancement to the services we provide.Since 1988, NVRC has been empowering deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families through education, advocacy and community involvement. In response to consumer feedback, we have created this new program which will focus on affordable communication support for area residents and their families.Proceeds of the interpreting services program will go back to services for the community. NVRC will be able to work with low-income individuals and other non-profit organizations by providing low-cost interpreting and transliterating services.

To request services call 703-865-4444

or use our

Online Request Form

Sign Language Interpreting

Sign language interpreting makes communication possible between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear. Interpreting is a complex process that requires a high degree of linguistic, cognitive and technical skills in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). Sign language interpreting, like spoken language interpreting, involves more than simply replacing a word of spoken English with a signed representation of that English word. ASL has its own grammatical rules, sentence structure and cultural nuances. Interpreters must thoroughly understand the subject matter in which they work so that they are able to convert information from one language, known as the source language, into another, known as the target language. In addition, interpretations can incorporate cultural information associated with the languages used.
(taken from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) - Standard Practice Paper onProfessional Sign Language Interpreting)

Cued Speech Transliteration

Cued Speech is a mode of communication based on the phonemes and properties of traditionally spoken languages. Cueing allows users who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have language/communication disorders to access the basic, fundamental properties of spoken languages through the use of vision.
(taken from the National Cued Speech Association’s website)

Where We Work

Our interpreters and transliterators come from diverse backgrounds and experiences allowing us to serve a variety of needs. NVRC can provide interpreters and transliterators in the following settings:

Medical
Mental Health
Legal
Private Businesses
Federal and Local Government
Social Service
Performing Arts
Education

We work with a variety of consumers who may need specialized services such as:

DeafBlind Interpreting
Tactile Interpreting
Close-Vision Interpreting
Cued Language Transliteration
Oral Transliteration

Working With Interpreters and Transliterators

Our interpreters and transliterators are professionally trained and certified to facilitate the communication of people who do not share a common language and/or communication mode. The nature of the assignment determines the particular skills needed by an interpreter for each job. Factors which may affect the kind of skills needed include the setting, the language preference of the consumer, and the level of discourse.

For tips when working with interpreters, download a .pdf copy of our Fact Sheets: