By Joel Duggan
Joel Duggan is an NIC Advanced certified ASL interpreter with over 25 years of experience. His work spans medical, legal, government, and technical settings, with a strong focus on cross-cultural communication. His journey into the world of interpreting began as a personal commitment to family and has since evolved into a career defined by expertise, empathy, and a deep connection to the Deaf community.
How It All Started
If you had told me 25 years ago that I’d be a full-time sign language interpreter, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Back then, I didn’t set out with that goal in mind. It all started when I met my wife. She had close friends and extended family who were deaf. As our relationship deepened and we started talking about marriage, I knew I had to learn the language—it was part of her world, and I wanted to be part of that world too.
As I spent time with her circle of deaf friends and family I began to pick up the language. It wasn’t easy, but it was important. I never really planned on becoming an interpreter—it just kind of happened over time. Friends began asking me to come with them to interpret small things, and eventually, I realized how much I loved it. That’s when I pursued training, workshops, and eventually certification.
Getting Certified and Going Pro
I ended up pursuing the NIC (National Interpreter Certification) through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). At the time, many companies and agencies were beginning to require official certification to do the work, so it became essential.
My wife is also a certified interpreter, so it’s been nice for us both to share that journey. We’ve even had the opportunity to work together as a team on various jobs, which has given us a deeper appreciation for the dynamics of interpreting—especially how different environments call for different approaches.
In-Person vs. Remote Interpreting
Before COVID hit, I avoided remote interpreting. Most of my deaf friends didn’t like it, so I didn’t want to support something they were opposed to. There are some situations where being there in person really matters. I remember one of my deaf “grandmothers”—a dear friend—had to be rushed to the hospital. She was in her 80s, had fallen and split her head open, she didn’t have her glasses, and the hospital wheeled in this little iPad with a remote interpreter. She couldn’t even see it. It was just a terrible setup.
But then COVID changed everything. Suddenly, remote interpreting became the only option in many cases—and I began to see where it worked really well. For example, I used to interpret inside a prison, which, let me tell you, is an intense experience. With remote interpreting, there’s no security risk or dealing with lockdowns. It’s safer and can be more efficient, although it really does depend on the situation.
In academic or government settings when a presentation or training is taking place I think remote interpreting works beautifully. Especially when the people attending are all from different states or working remotely themselves. I can have the deaf person on one screen and the PowerPoint or lecture on another. That setup actually makes for a more precise interpretation.
But in hospitals or emergencies? I still believe in-person is best. Remote can be great for triage—just to get things started—but a live interpreter really makes a difference when things get critical.
ASL in Times of Crisis
When it comes to emergencies or disasters, having a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is really valuable. A CDI can make a big difference since they are a native signer and can present the message in the natural language of the deaf. That’s especially important when you’re dealing with a diverse community. Some deaf people may have limited formal education and use home signs, or they come from other countries with different sign languages. A CDI has ways of conveying a clear message that all in the community can understand.
I’ll never forget when I met a deaf man from Brazil who didn’t use ASL. I tried adapting my signing to use more gestures and simplifying, but we weren’t really connecting—until I introduced him to some of my deaf friends. They were able to communicate immediately. It was wild to watch. That’s when I really understood just how vital a CDI can be. Their communication style often bridges gaps we can’t, especially in high-stress, fast-moving scenarios.
Why Captioning Isn’t Enough
A common misconception during public emergencies is that captions are enough. But the reality is, ASL is a completely different language from English—with its own grammar, structure, and way of processing information.
For a very simplistic example, in English, you might say “The horse jumped over the fence.” But in ASL, you have to sign “fence” first—because visually, the horse can’t jump what hasn’t been shown yet. ASL leads with the main idea and builds from there, while English often saves the point for last.
So in moments when clarity is absolutely critical, captions—especially in English word order—can fall short. Some deaf individuals may be fluent in written English, but many aren’t. That’s why providing direct ASL access is so essential, particularly during times of crisis.
The Nuances of Different Industries and Settings
Medical Interpreting: Communication in Critical Moments
Medical settings are some of the most intense and personal environments I’ve worked in. Ensuring the patient has received all the critical information to make an informed decision can be challenging but also very satisfying.
I’ve been in the surgical room during procedures. I’ve also interpreted for patients coming out of anesthesia, when they’re not fully conscious and nurses are trying to explain what’s happening. It’s in those moments that clear, calm communication is everything. It’s like you are on the journey with them, from pre-op to post-op to recovery and sometimes straight to rehab, you are by their side ensuring good communication.
Every situation is different, and that’s part of what I love about the job—it keeps you on your toes. One day, it’s a simple check-up. The next, you’re in the middle of an emergency or a highly sensitive medical procedure. You have to adapt quickly and always be ready to respond to whatever the moment demands.
Legal Interpreting: When Accuracy Means Everything
Legal interpreting is a whole different world—because the stakes can be incredibly high. A single misinterpretation can have major consequences.
I remember a case with a deaf man in prison. He was accused of threatening another inmate—allegedly saying he was going to kill them. But when I started working with him, he was completely confused by the accusation. What he had actually signed was “cut it out” or “knock it off”—a common way to tell someone to stop teasing or bothering you.
But someone unfamiliar with Deaf culture misread his sign as a threat. That could have escalated into something far worse. It was a real eye-opener about how important it is to understand cultural context and the variety of ways deaf individuals sign certain phrases.
In another case, I had to stop a court hearing because I simply couldn’t communicate clearly with the deaf person—he was from another country, and his signing was completely different from ASL. I had to recommend bringing in a Certified Deaf Interpreter. It’s not about pride; it’s about communication and making sure someone’s rights are protected.
And sometimes, you have to step back entirely. I’ve turned down legal jobs because I knew the person too well and couldn’t be fully neutral. That level of self-awareness is crucial when you’re interpreting in emotionally or legally sensitive situations.
Government and Technical Interpreting: Jargon, Acronyms, and Precision
Government interpreting comes with its own unique set of challenges—acronyms being a big one. Every agency seems to speak its own alphabet soup. Some of my work involves recurring assignments, like weekly team meetings with the same client. That’s ideal because I get to learn their team dynamics, common acronyms, and how they work and interact with their peers.. It makes the interpreting smoother and more accurate.
One of the more memorable experiences I had was interpreting for NASA. These folks are brilliant—deaf engineers working on incredibly technical projects. In one meeting, I misunderstood an acronym that sounded like a regular word, so I signed that word instead. The deaf person still understood what I meant and even used that sign going forward—but at the end of the meeting, they gently corrected me. That moment really stuck with me. It showed me both the importance of preparation and the grace many clients extend when we’re all doing our best to bridge gaps.
Now, I always ask for prep materials in advance—PowerPoints, acronym lists, whatever they can share. It helps me visualize and plan how I’ll interpret complex concepts in a way that’s clear and accurate. Especially in technical environments like NASA or government training, that preparation is really important.
Confidentiality and Neutrality
Staying neutral is one of the hardest parts of the job, especially in a tight-knit community. I’ve had to turn down jobs because I knew the people too well—I couldn’t guarantee I’d stay unbiased. And sometimes, deaf clients prefer not to work with me due to wanting to keep their private life separate from our friendship. I totally respect that. Other times, I’ve had friends specifically request me because they trust me. So I let them decide—it’s their comfort that matters most.
There’s a unique closeness that develops when you’re constantly working within the same community, and that human connection—built on trust, familiarity, and nuance—is really at the heart of this work.
Tech, AI, and the Future
That human connection is why I’m not too worried about AI replacing sign language interpreters any time soon. My brother-in-law works in tech and uses AI to translate between spoken and written languages—it’s impressive, no doubt. But sign language is a whole different thing. It’s layered, visual, expressive. So much of it relies on context, body language, facial expressions—things I just don’t see AI being able to fully grasp yet.
Honestly, even with all the tech advancements, I still think human interpreters are essential. There’s an emotional intelligence and adaptability required in this job that machines can’t replicate. Not yet, anyway.
Advice for Aspiring Interpreters
If you’re thinking about becoming an interpreter, my biggest piece of advice is: spend time with the deaf community. Learn the culture. Learn the language not just from books or classes, but from people.
Language and interpreting are two separate skills. You can know the language and not yet be ready to be an interpreter. But when you immerse yourself in the community, you pick up the nuances, the dialects, the culture—that’s what makes a great interpreter.
Also, understand the difference between “little d” deaf and “big D” Deaf. The former might just be someone who can’t hear, while the latter is someone deeply rooted in Deaf culture. That distinction matters, especially in how you approach communication.
It’s a beautiful, challenging, and deeply rewarding field. Every day is different. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and sometimes you’ll be humbled. But above all, you’ll help people connect—and that’s what it’s all about.