Sign Language Interpreting Students’ Motivations And Expectations

Sign language is the necessary way for Deaf people to communicate with the outside world.Research on sign language interpreting,however,is not abundant in the Chinese context.In addition,the existing research is mainly carried out by researchers from the field of special education but not interpreting studies.In terms of interpreter training,there are only five universities that launch sign language interpreting programs.Therefore,understanding students’ motivations and expectations are helpful for universities to cultivate students pertinently and beneficial to the establishment of a harmonious society.The current study aims to interview students from three universities about the reasons why they choose the major and study the major as well as what they expect during the learning process,in an attempt to propose suggestions for teaching.44 sign language interpreting trainees participated in the study.With semi-structured interview,the interview recordings are transcribed and coded.The interview data is analyzed based on Self-determination Theory and basic categorization of students’ expectations.It is concluded that 1)sign language interpreting trainees choose and study the major out of the need for competence,relatedness,and autonomy;2)although so-me students have no motivation for choosing the major,they are motivated during the learning;3)students have different expectations for the society,institutions,teachers,and themselves.