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.
MELANIE METZGER, PH.D., CT, TSC
Dr. Metzger is a former chair of the Department of Interpretation and Translation at Gallaudet University where she was a professor for 25 years. She holds a master of arts degree in ASL linguistics from Gallaudet and a doctoral degree in Sociolinguistics from Georgetown University. She has worked as an interpreter practitioner and interpreter educator for over 35 years. Her research focuses on visual language discourse, interpreted interaction, educating interpreters, and interpreters who work in educational settings. As professor at Gallaudet University, she co-developed the first ASL-English interpreting doctoral program in the United States. She continues to serve as co-editor of the Studies in Interpretation Series, published by Gallaudet University Press.
As co-founder of Language Matters, Inc., Dr. Metzger co-developed the first cued language transliterator coursework approved for under-graduate and graduate level college course credit. Dr. Metzger is also co-founder of the Testing, Evaluation, and Certification Unit (TECUnit), the national certifying body for cued language transliterators in the United States. She served on the TECUnit’s original code of conduct and certification development teams. Dr. Metzger’s work as co-author of Cued Language Structure: An Analysis of Cued American English Based on Linguistic Principles formally introduces the concept of cueing as a process of visually articulating language, rather than speech, and is the first to use the term “cued language” to refer to the resulting linguistic product.
Dr. Metzger serves as a national and international consultant on matters related to providing educational and workplace access to linguistic, social, and cultural dynamics. She has taught ASL-English interpretation and cued English-spoken English transliteration at the undergraduate and graduate level, including courses in linguistics, language structure, and applied sociolinguistics. She has supported research and publication by more than 150 interpreting students and practitioners studying signed and cued language interpretation and translation. She currently serves as researcher, consultant, and interpreter/transliterator for Visual Language Associates.
Dr. Metzger’s research and publications include:
Metzger, M. (2009). Salient Studies of Signed Language Interpreting in the Context of Community Interpreting Scholarship. Linguistica Antverpiensia,. 5,.
Metzger, M. (2019). Bilingualism and Identity in Deaf Communities. Bibliovault OAI Repository, the University of Chicago Press.
Metzger, M. & Quadros, R. (2012). Cognitive control in intermodal bilingual interpreters. Signed Language Interpreting in Brazil. 43-56.
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.
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. (1999). Sign Language Interpreting: Deconstructing the Myth of Neutrality. Bibliovault OAI Repository, the University of Chicago Press.
Lasasso, C. & Metzger, M. (1998). An Alternate Route for Preparing Deaf Children for BiBi Programs: The Home Language as LI and Cued Speech for Conveying Traditionally-Spoken Languages. Journal of deaf studies and deaf education. 3. 265-89. 10.1093/oxfordjournals.deafed.a014356.
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.
Metzger, M. (1995). Constructed dialogue and constructed action in American Sign Language. Unpublished manuscript. Georgetown University, Washington, DC.