Sign Language Interpreters
What do sign language interpreters do?
Sign language interpreters are professionals who mediate between hearing and deaf people. They not only translate language, but also content, emotions and cultural differences from spoken language into sign language and vice versa.
They have a high level of proficiency in both German Sign Language (DGS) and spoken German. They play an important bridging role in barrier-free communication.
Typical areas of application:
Sign language interpreters are indispensable in many areas:
- Hospitals and doctors' surgeries
- educational institutions
- Courts and authorities
- Conferences, events and media broadcasts
Importance for accessibility:
Sign language interpreters ensure that deaf people can receive information and communicate on an equal footing.
Their use is supported by legal requirements, e.g. the Disability Equality Act (BGG) and international conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Sign language interpreters translate between German Sign Language and spoken German – simultaneously or with a delay. They are usually state-certified or have completed a relevant degree and are bound by confidentiality. They are commonly used at doctor’s appointments, in dealings with authorities, in training courses and at events.
Legally, deaf people are entitled to have costs covered in many situations, for example in healthcare or administrative procedures. Organisers should book interpreters early and give them materials in advance so that technical terms can be prepared. For longer sessions, two people are usually used and take turns.
Online, interpreting services are becoming more important too: for webinars and live streams the interpreter’s picture should be clearly visible, ideally in its own fixed area next to the presentation. That way you allow deaf guests to take part on an equal footing in your digital offers.
It is also important not to see deaf people merely as an audience: anyone who plans speakers using sign language or involves deaf employees also needs interpreters. Clarify costs, responsibilities and contacts during the planning phase of an event rather than shortly before it.
When choosing, check whether the person has experience in the relevant field, such as medicine, law or technology. Good interpreters prepare and ask when something is unclear.
In short: Sign Language Interpreters: Enhancing Web Accessibility.
