Biography

Sonja W. Smith, MA is an ASL/English interpreter and interpreter educator with over 20 years of professional experience. She has a BA in Deaf Education from Baylor University (Waco, TX), and an MA in Interpreting Studies with an emphasis in Interpreter Education from Western Oregon University (Monmouth, OR). Her certifications include the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.’s National Interpreter Certification (RID NIC) and the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Master and Court certifications (BEI Master, BEI Court). Sonja has provided numerous professional development trainings for interpreters and was formerly an adjunct faculty instructor at Austin Community College (Austin, TX). Her teaching interests focus on developing ethically fit interpreters, enhancing ASL to English interpreting practice, and legal interpreting. Her Master’s thesis focused on legal interpreters’ adherence to prescribed best practices. In addition to her teaching practice, she continues her ASL/English interpreting professional practice focusing on legal interpreting, conference interpreting, ASL to English interpreting, and other high stakes settings. Sonja has been involved in various professional leadership roles throughout her career. Most recently, she served as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.’s Region IV Representative.