Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the role of a sign language interpreter! We have developed the following FAQ to help you understand some of the most common scenarios and information in anticipation of supporting your friends, family, community, and clients.

You generally need a sign language interpreter any time a Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or Deaf/Blind person requests accommodation. All people deserve access to events, meetings, interviews, appointments, etc. during which they not only understand what’s being spoken, but also have the ability to be understood.

Remember, the sign language interpreter is NOT only there for the benefit of the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or Deaf/Blind person! They are also there to interpret their client’s words for the hearing person(s) in attendance.

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It is important to make sure that an interpreter is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and that they have the skills to interpret in the setting you are requesting them for. Interpreters who have, or are working toward, their national certification through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) understand the importance of maintaining a standard for professional conduct and continuing their training so they are always practicing and learning more about how to better serve the community.

Additionally, some situations require a specific vocabulary or skillset, such as legal or medical assignments. When the best interpreter for any given assignment is used, everyone involved will see how smoothly the interaction will go.

Continuous interpretation is usually required during events in which there is a large amount of speaking involved, such as a lecture, graduation ceremony, training session, convention presentations, etc.

Just as speaking for a long time can cause mental and physical fatigue, so too can interpreting become exhausting. The interpreter has to listen, figure out the best signs to use, physically translate, watch their client in case they have a response that needs to be voiced – all at the same time! Even during an assignment that doesn’t require continuous interpretation, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

Two interpreters are able to switch every 20 minutes to allow for mental and physical breaks during these types of speaking-heavy assignments. One interpreter will be actively signing for 20 minutes while the other is at-the-ready to provide clarifications if needed. Both interpreters are working attentively to support each other and to make sure your event goes smoothly.

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If you have a question about whether or not your event would qualify as one that would require two or more interpreters, you should provide extra event details with the agency or interpreter that you’re working with so they can determine how much interpretation may be involved.

Note: Feel free to email info@goodsignsinterpreting.com or fill out an Interpreter Request Form to ask for more details!

Many times, a big company or event will hire interpreters “just in case” an audience member would benefit from having someone available.

Interpreters need to know who they’re servicing because:

• Interpreters need to be able to orient themselves toward their clients in the audience, to make sure they’re providing clear communication.

• At a large event with off-shoot lectures being done in many rooms at the same time, they need to make sure they’re in the right one to provide service to the person who needs it.

• Sometimes clients have a preferred sign language – one person may prefer American Sign Language (ASL), while another prefers Signed Exact English (SEE). Being able to meet with a client prior or during the event allows the interpreter the chance to modify their signs accordingly.

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Additionally, there are a limited number of interpreters who service any particular community – hiring an interpreter for an event that does not truly need one keeps that interpreter from helping a client who would actually benefit from their service. Many agencies and interpreters have it written into their contract that the interpreter is allowed to leave an assignment prior to the end of their scheduled time if they do not have a client to service, specifically so that same interpreter can become available to the community at large if needed for an emergency assignment.

If you or your company decide you would like to hire an interpreter despite having no requests for accommodation, that decision should be made clear to the agency and/or interpreter so they can make an informed decision about how to handle your event.

NOTE: It is considered a good practice to hire interpreters prior to an event where you expect to need interpreter accommodation and then cancelling those interpreters 48+ hours prior to the event when no requests for accommodation are made. It is an excellent idea to establish a need with an agency and/or interpreter so they can make sure that there are enough resources allocated to accommodate you should you end up needing them!

Sometimes a company or event who has not received requests for accommodation still anticipate that their community would benefit from seeing the live interpretation at a later date.

It is important to know that there are excellent, often cheaper, alternatives to this option, including post-production captioning and transcription services. The agency you work is usually available to provide that service for you, simply reach out to them to ask!

However, if you are determined to videotape live interpretation, please make it very clear to the agency and/or interpreter as soon as possible. You may be required to pay an extra fee and sign a release stipulating how the video can be used. Note that there should be a dedicated camera set up to capture the interpreter directly, even if it means not being able to capture the speaker(s), presentation material, or audience. Captioning/transcribing has the added benefit of allowing more dynamic video angles, cuts, and added visuals! Make sure to consider all of your options.

In American Sign Language, facial and physical expressions are as important as tone of voice. The expressions used while doing a sign will affect the meaning of that sign.

For example, if the speaker uses a cheerful tone of voice while saying something very formal – “welcome to our meeting” – that can change the way the audience interacts with the speaker. The interpreter wants to convey that same message, and so may add a cheerful facial expression while signing the same phrase.

If the interpreter were to sign with a neutral expression, their client – your audience! – would likely lose interest in what is being said, the same way your hearing audience would under the same circumstances.

Will your event include PowerPoint presentations, scripted information, or written material being used by the presenter? If so, having those materials ahead of time allows an interpreter to familiarize themselves with the subject matters that they will need to interpret during the assignment.

Even if there are no specific materials available, having general details regarding the event is still very helpful! Please feel free to send along associated websites, marketing materials, etc., when making your assignment request.

• The sign language interpreter is a professional who is there to do a job, and you should interact with them as you would with any service professional.

• The interpreter may or may not know the client for whom they are interpreting. However, while the interpreter is working, they are not functioning as the client’s friend, but instead as a voice for the client.

• The interpreter will voice in 1st person because the client is signing in 1st person – for example, “I heard that you were at the meeting yesterday.” If the interpreter needs to ask you something outside of the context of voicing for their client, they will make it clear that they are speaking independently.

• If you need to address the client, please stand next to the interpreter whenever possible, so the client can see you and the interpreter. This keeps the client from having to divide their attention between watching the interpreter’s signs and watching you for body language, etc.

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• When speaking to the client, talk directly to them, not to the interpreter. If possible, avoid phrases such as, “Can you tell them…” or “I want them to know…” as if the client cannot hear you. If you need to speak to the interpreter independent of the client, clearly direct your request to the interpreter.

• The interpreter will interpret everything that is within their hearing range to the client. If you don’t wish for the client to “hear” something, don’t say it with the client present, just as you wouldn’t with a hearing person.

• Speak at your normal, natural speed. There’s no need to slow down when speaking unless the interpreter asks you to.

Please feel free to contact Good Signs Interpreting Agency at info@goodsignsinterpreting.com if you have further questions you may have about the interpreter’s role, the interpreting process, or how we can help your business make sure it’s ready for any future accommodation need!

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