Through our consultants, researchers, clinicians, interpreters, transliterators and programs, VLA aims to apply evidence-based research to advancing the right and opportunity for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to access, process, acquire, and use visual language.
EARL FLEETWOOD, M.A, CI/CT, TSC
Mr. Fleetwood holds a master of arts degree in ASL-English Interpretation from Gallaudet University. His master's thesis examines the goal, role, results, and efficacy of signed language interpreting in hearing mainstream educational settings. He has worked as a transliterator, interpreter, and interpreter educator for more than 35 years.
Mr. Fleetwood has served as Director of Certification for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the national credentialing body for signed language interpreters in the United States. He is also a co-founder of the TECUnit, the national credentialing body for cued language transliterators in the U.S. and is an original member of its code of conduct and certification development teams. Mr. Fleetwood has worked as an adjunct instructor in Gallaudet’s master of arts in ASL-English Interpretation program and as an instructor in Gallaudet’s former CAE-spoken English transliterator training program.
Mr. Fleetwood’s areas of research focus on the linguistic structure and articulation of visual language as well as the accessibility of linguistic and cultural elements of an interpreted/transliterated education. As a co-founder of Language Matters, Inc., he co-produced the first commercially available instructional materials specifically designed for the development of knowledge and skills requisite of and particular to cued language transliteration. His co-authored research, Cued language: What deaf native cuers perceive of Cued Speech, is the first to provide evidence that deaf native cuers make linguistic decisions in deference to what is visual rather than what is acoustic, even when presented with both via co-occurring cued and spoken information.
Mr. Fleetwood co-edits Gallaudet University’s Studies in Interpretation Series. He currently works in private practice as an RID certified signed language interpreter and a TECUnit certified cued language transliterator. Mr. Fleetwood conducts research and provides consultation and interpreting/transliterating services for Visual Language Associates.
Mr. Fleewood’s research and publications include:
Metzger M., Fleetwood E. (2004). Educational interpreting: Developing standards of practice. Educational interpreting: How it can succeed.; Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 171–177.
Fleetwood, E. & Metzger, M. (1998). Cued Language Structure: An Analysis of Cued American English Based on Linguistic Principles. Silver Spring, MD: Calliope Press
Metzger, M. & Fleetwood, E. & Collins, S.. (2004). Discourse Genre and Linguistic Mode: Interpreter Influences in Visual and Tactile Interpreted Interaction. Sign Language Studies. 4. 118-137. 10.1353/sls.2004.0004.
Metzger, M. , and Fleetwood, E. (2010). Cued language: What deaf native cuers perceive of Cued Speech. In C. LaSasso , K. Crain , & J. Leybaert (Eds.), Cued Speech and cued language for deaf and hard of hearing children (pp. 53-66). San Diego, CA: Plural.
Fleetwood E. 2000. Educational policy and signed language interpretation. In M. Metzger (ed) Bilingualism & identity in deaf communities. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. 161–183.
Fleetwood, E. and Metzger, M. (1990, rev 2017) Cued Language Transliteration Theory and Application. Silver Spring: Calliope Press.
Metzger, M. & Fleetwood, E. (2007). Translation, Sociolinguistic, and Consumer Issues in Interpreting. Bibliovault OAI Repository, the University of Chicago Press.
Haas, C., Fleetwood, E., and Ernst, M. 1995. An Analysis of ASL Variation Within DeafBlind Interaction: Question Forms, Backchanneling, and Turntaking. In L. Byers, J. Chalken, and M. Mueller (eds) Communication Forum 1995, Washington, DC: Gallaudet University School of Communication. 103-140.