4 answers
Victoria
Student
Mauckport, IN
1
Question
Asked
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How difficult would it be to double major in Spanish and ASL interpretation with a minor in film studies?
I am going to be an interpreter (for both Spanish and ASL) and enjoy film as well, so I am curious as to how difficult it would be to take some classes related to that interest. I love languages too, of course, but as film will not relate to my career at all, it would just be for fun. #Fall25
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Victoria !
I highly do not recommend Double Majoring for anything. I also believe that it will be too much of a course load and work to deal with Spanish sign language unless you are already advanced and fast fluent in ASL. I would not recommend majoring in Spanish as that is not going to help you with your career goals. You would have to Major in Deaf Studies, become very, very fluent in ASL and then learn the Spanish signing only if you plan to go to Spain or South America. Many deaf Latino people in the U.S. learn ASL if they use it. I am sorry for so much re-direction, but if you want the ideal education to be an interpreter, this is the best path. Also, remember that sign language is not the spoken language so Majoring in Spanish would not be helpful at all. You'd have to learn Lengua de Signos Española and you'd have to learn it sign language based, not spoken language based.
There is a bit of competition in the employment of interpreters as it is a very well paying position and you will need the correct credentials. Please reconsider your plans for college and find a good college with a Deaf Studies Department. Through that, you will also build contacts that may be crucial in obtaining work once you graduate.
Sorry to be so frank, but unless you want to drop the interpreter career goal, I would not advise minoring in anything. Film is an intense subject in college with lots of projects and you're going to need to be available for Deaf oriented activities, conferences, projects, research papers to write, so I would suggest that you make a decision about what career you really want. Also, a minor in film is not going to prepare you to be expert in that field. So basically, if you want to be a successful ASL Interpreter, you would get you Bachelors Degree in Deaf Studies and Major and focus on that only, no double Majoring or majoring in Spanish. With a degree in Deaf Studies and certification, you can work through agencies as well as independently offering your own service. It's well worth taking the right path as ASL Interpretation is an excellent field and you'll want to be qualified.
I highly do not recommend Double Majoring for anything. I also believe that it will be too much of a course load and work to deal with Spanish sign language unless you are already advanced and fast fluent in ASL. I would not recommend majoring in Spanish as that is not going to help you with your career goals. You would have to Major in Deaf Studies, become very, very fluent in ASL and then learn the Spanish signing only if you plan to go to Spain or South America. Many deaf Latino people in the U.S. learn ASL if they use it. I am sorry for so much re-direction, but if you want the ideal education to be an interpreter, this is the best path. Also, remember that sign language is not the spoken language so Majoring in Spanish would not be helpful at all. You'd have to learn Lengua de Signos Española and you'd have to learn it sign language based, not spoken language based.
There is a bit of competition in the employment of interpreters as it is a very well paying position and you will need the correct credentials. Please reconsider your plans for college and find a good college with a Deaf Studies Department. Through that, you will also build contacts that may be crucial in obtaining work once you graduate.
Sorry to be so frank, but unless you want to drop the interpreter career goal, I would not advise minoring in anything. Film is an intense subject in college with lots of projects and you're going to need to be available for Deaf oriented activities, conferences, projects, research papers to write, so I would suggest that you make a decision about what career you really want. Also, a minor in film is not going to prepare you to be expert in that field. So basically, if you want to be a successful ASL Interpreter, you would get you Bachelors Degree in Deaf Studies and Major and focus on that only, no double Majoring or majoring in Spanish. With a degree in Deaf Studies and certification, you can work through agencies as well as independently offering your own service. It's well worth taking the right path as ASL Interpretation is an excellent field and you'll want to be qualified.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
Doing Spanish and ASL interpretation actually makes a lot of sense. If you have any extra time or brain capacity left, I would add Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM) to your skill set so you can interpret for the Mexican-Spanish-speaking and American-English-speaking deaf communities.
Not everything you like of find interesting has to be a degree. Film can remain a great hobby. You can take some classes as part of your GE requirements or electives if it fits your schedule, but there is no need to take on a minor in film.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Doing Spanish and ASL interpretation actually makes a lot of sense. If you have any extra time or brain capacity left, I would add Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM) to your skill set so you can interpret for the Mexican-Spanish-speaking and American-English-speaking deaf communities.
Not everything you like of find interesting has to be a degree. Film can remain a great hobby. You can take some classes as part of your GE requirements or electives if it fits your schedule, but there is no need to take on a minor in film.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Melanie Heighway
Head of Localization & Internationalization
2
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
I agree with Karin that studying both Spanish and ASL makes a lot of sense and really widens the communities you will be able to interpret for.
I also did a double language degree and found it was already a hefty load just to manage the two language majors. My minors were in politics and history, focused on the regions I was studying, and I have found those tangential subjects surprisingly useful throughout my career. I also agree with Karin that taking some film classes as electives is a great alternative to adding a formal minor. I did a semester of cinema in Japan (while I was studying Japanese) as an elective and thoroughly enjoyed it.
All the best with your studies,
Melanie
I agree with Karin that studying both Spanish and ASL makes a lot of sense and really widens the communities you will be able to interpret for.
I also did a double language degree and found it was already a hefty load just to manage the two language majors. My minors were in politics and history, focused on the regions I was studying, and I have found those tangential subjects surprisingly useful throughout my career. I also agree with Karin that taking some film classes as electives is a great alternative to adding a formal minor. I did a semester of cinema in Japan (while I was studying Japanese) as an elective and thoroughly enjoyed it.
All the best with your studies,
Melanie
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
This combination is definitely possible, but it requires careful planning and honest time management.
A double major in Spanish and ASL interpretation is already quite demanding, since both require constant practice, immersion, and skill development—not just coursework. Adding a minor in film studies can be manageable if your university allows overlap in electives and if you’re comfortable with a heavier workload in some semesters.
Here are a few things to consider:
• Program structure matters: Check whether Spanish and ASL share general education or elective credits. This can significantly reduce overload.
• Skill-based majors are time-intensive: Interpretation programs often require labs, practice hours, and performance-based assessments, which take time outside of class.
• Film as a minor can be a healthy balance: Since you’re pursuing film for enjoyment rather than career goals, it can actually help with creativity, stress relief, and communication skills—which are valuable for interpreters.
• Meet with an academic advisor early: A semester-by-semester plan will help you avoid burnout and unexpected delays in graduation.
If you enjoy learning languages and are motivated, this path is realistic—as long as you remain flexible and prioritize your core career goals when needed.
Wishing you clarity as you design a path that balances both passion and practicality.
This combination is definitely possible, but it requires careful planning and honest time management.
A double major in Spanish and ASL interpretation is already quite demanding, since both require constant practice, immersion, and skill development—not just coursework. Adding a minor in film studies can be manageable if your university allows overlap in electives and if you’re comfortable with a heavier workload in some semesters.
Here are a few things to consider:
• Program structure matters: Check whether Spanish and ASL share general education or elective credits. This can significantly reduce overload.
• Skill-based majors are time-intensive: Interpretation programs often require labs, practice hours, and performance-based assessments, which take time outside of class.
• Film as a minor can be a healthy balance: Since you’re pursuing film for enjoyment rather than career goals, it can actually help with creativity, stress relief, and communication skills—which are valuable for interpreters.
• Meet with an academic advisor early: A semester-by-semester plan will help you avoid burnout and unexpected delays in graduation.
If you enjoy learning languages and are motivated, this path is realistic—as long as you remain flexible and prioritize your core career goals when needed.
Wishing you clarity as you design a path that balances both passion and practicality.