This paper explains how the hearing loss of deaf persons affects communication, describes methods deaf individuals use to communicate, and addresses the role of interpreters in the communication process. The volume covers: communication methods such as speechreading or lipreading, written notes, gestures, or sign language (American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign English, and Manually Coded English); the wide usage of American Sign Language within the deaf community and its increasing acceptance by colleges and universities as a fulfillment of foreign language requirements; the history of interpreting; a rationale for the use of interpreters as the most efficient and effective method of facilitating communication between hearing and deaf persons; steps towards becoming an interpreter; types of interpreting; work settings in which interpreters are needed; the certification process and types of certificates; procedures for securing an interpreter through the Interpreter Referral Service of the New Jersey Division of the Deaf; guidelines for using the interpreter effectively and comfortably; and suggestions to maximize communication between deaf and hearing people when an interpreter is not available. Appendices contain the code of ethics of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and a directory of New Jersey resources available for additional information on interpreting. (JDD)