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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
54
The Sophister years
In years 3 and 4, you will opt to follow one of three strands: (i)
Interpreting, (ii) ISL teaching or (iii) Deaf studies.
While the ISL components are shared across all courses, in the
Sophister years, you will take specific theoretical and practice-
based courses to support professional skill development in your
specific area of interest. In order to opt for the interpreting or
ISL route, you will need to have achieved a II.2 in the Senior
Freshman (second) year.
The Sophister years – Language component
In years 3 and 4, you will complete four more ISL courses: ISL5,
ISL6, ISL7 and ISL8, bringing you to a level of fluency where you
will be able to understand an academic lecture delivered in ISL,
make formal presentations in ISL and interact with confidence in
the language.
The Sophister years – Theoretical component
In the Sophister years, you will undertake some common
theoretical courses (such as Ethics 2), but generally, theoretical
components in years 3 and 4 are closely aligned to professional
practice in each of the three strands, as outlined below:
(i) Interpreting
n
Consecutive interpreting
n
Liaison interpreting
n
Simultaneous interpreting 1
n
Simultaneous interpreting 2
(ii) ISL teaching
n
Curriculum planning
n
Teaching methods
n
Theories of education
n
Methods of assessment
n
Teaching ISL for the national curriculum
n
Teaching ISL as L1 (a first language)
n
Teaching ISL as L2 (a second language)
(iii) Deaf studies
n
Deaf people and the media
n
Research methods
n
Research project
The Sophister years – Practical component
In years 3 and 4, you will undertake placements in Ireland
or abroad to support your professional skill development.
The objectives of placements include the development of
core competencies that have been identified for professional
interpreters or ISL teachers, active engagement with the
Deaf community in authentic settings, and engagement with
professionals in the field who can offer guidance on your path to
professional practice.
Assessment
Award of the degree is based on continuous assessment, a
practice placement, and final examinations. A student whose
placement performance is considered unsatisfactory may be
allowed further placement experience.
Career opportunities
Graduates frequently work in Deaf organisations (e.g. as
a resource officer) or combined with another skill set, such
as teaching, child care, social work, media, etc., work as an
ISL teacher, or as an ISL interpreter. There is also scope
for continuing to further study in areas such as linguistics,
communications, anthropology, multiculturalism, gender studies,
law, etc. Graduates have also gone on to work in the Civil
Service and other public service bodies.
Did you know?
n
Irish Sign Language is the second indigenous
language of Ireland and is the working language at the
Centre for Deaf Studies. ISL is one of the many signed
languages recognised by the European Institutions
and has been formally recognised in Northern Ireland.
Trinity College is the only university on the island
of Ireland offering a Deaf studies programme. The
first professional training for ISL/English interpreters
and ISL teachers was established here in 1992 (in
collaboration with Bristol University). The Centre for
Deaf Studies was established in 2001.
Further information
Tel: + 353 830 12 52
E-mail:
Centre for Deaf Studies, School of Linguistic, Speech and
Communication Sciences, 4th Floor, Arts Building, Trinity
College Dublin.
