Interpreting Services for the Deaf

During recent times, in particular during the Covid 19 pandemic, there has been a rise in the use of interpreting services for the deaf. It may have become more commonplace to see interpreters on TV; for briefings and updates during Covid, broadcasters had to be sure they were getting their message out to as many people as possible. 

BSL (British Sign Language)

The interpreting you may have seen on TV would be BSL, or in America, ASL. Sign Language is a visual means of communicating using gestures, facial expression, and body language. Sign Language is used mainly by people who are Deaf or have hearing impairments. 

Within Britain the most common form of Sign Language is called British Sign Language (BSL). BSL has its own grammatical structure and syntax, as a language it is not dependant nor is it strongly related to spoken English. BSL is the preferred language of around 145,000 people within the UK (2011).

Interpreting for the Deafblind

How deafblind people communicate depends on their residual sight and hearing. They may use some form of tactile or other communication methods, including the following:

• Deafblind manual alphabet – This is also called fingerspelling. It involves spelling out words on someone’s hand in British Sign Language (BSL). 
• Block alphabet- This is when a hearing person uses the tip of their forefinger to spell out each word in English in block capitals on the receiver’s palm.  This method is most often used when communicating with members of the public and others who are unlikely to be familiar with the deafblind manual alphabet. 
• Hands-on signing- Some people who were born deaf and then experience sight loss as an adult continue to use sign language even when they can no longer follow visual signs. They touch the hands of the person who’s signing and follow their movements. 
• Visual frame signing – When a deafblind person has a limited field of vision, sign language can still be used if the signs are adapted according to their visual needs. In this instance, a BSL sign language interpreter could be booked.

Booking Interpreting Services for the Deaf

If you require support for someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or deafblind, you can find support from your Language Services Provider. They will have a network of interpreting contacts across the country so should be able to find someone local to you. Many interpreters can also work remotely for BSL, so Zoom or similar is always a potential solution. Your Language Services provider can also help guide you in booking the right kind of interpreter, which can be challenging if it is new! 

Please click here if you would like more information about Knockhundred’s Interpreting Services for the Deaf

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