Colin Lualdi
September 27, 2025
When Work is Not Work: Interpreting Technical ASL
Presenter Bio:
Colin Lualdi is a physics PhD candidate in the group of Paul Kwiat at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studies quantum information science. He is involved at all levels of ASL STEM development, ranging from training local interpreters to serving as a contributor to various national ASL STEM projects, including Quantum ASL and ASLCORE. A graduate of the Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, MA, Colin received an AB degree in physics and certificates in linguistics and computer science from Princeton University.
Workshop Description:
Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. If this expansion of “laser” seems impossible to interpret elegantly into American Sign Language (ASL), then this workshop is for you!
Join us in undertaking a holistic exploration of interpreting technical STEM content. We will explore the challenges inherent in such work so that participants can identify their personal areas of improvement. An ASL-centric technical language framework incorporating both vocabulary and syntax will be introduced as a tool for effective communication, suitable for various settings ranging from K-12 classrooms to professional workplaces. Elements of this framework, developed recently by the presenter and colleagues, will be reviewed, with an emphasis on leveraging the full capabilities of ASL to convey the richness of STEM content in creative ways. We will also analyze syntactic best practices, covering approaches for combining technical signs into coherent and compelling sentences. Participants will be provided with opportunities to collaboratively assess and strengthen their technical interpreting skills using the discussed ASL-centric language framework as a guide.
This workshop is organized by the team behind Tachyo, a new STEM sign language resource under development by Atomic Hands and SignStudy.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to self-identify personal areas of improvement in their technical
interpreting skills
2. Participants will be able to recognize what deaf clients seek in technical interpreting
3. Participants will be able to describe the core requirements for effective voice and ASL
interpretation of technical content
4. Participants will be able to summarize the components of an ASL-centric language
framework for technical interpreting
5. Participants will be able to apply an ASL-centric language framework towards effective
technical interpreting
LRID is an RID-approved CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This program is offered for 0.5 PS at the some content knowledge level.
Target audience: ASL/English
interpreters; both Deaf and
non-Deaf
Any special requests must be received by Sept 13, 2025.
LRID promotes an environment of mutual respect free of discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, hearing status, or any other protected class.
This training will be presented in
ASL only.
Interpreters will not be provided.
