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Signing and deaf clubs

• BSL Interpreter

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What does a BSL Interpreter do?

The role of a British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter is to convey every piece of information that is given in spoken English into BSL without omitting or adding anything to it. They also voice over anything that is communicated in BSL so that it is presented in spoken English.

Registration

It is important that interpreters are registered with a professional body. Registered interpreters must meet the requirements of their professional body and abide by a Code of Ethics. They will have indemnity insurance, an identification card and a current CRB Enhanced disclosure check. The professional body will have a Complaints and Disciplinary procedures.

The professional bodies are The Independent Registration Panel, The Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreter, and the Association of Sign Language Interpreters.

How do interpreters work?

The interpreter should be provided with copies of the agenda, power point presentations, OHPs, handouts etc prior to the event. It is also helpful for the interpreter to meet the lecturer or chairperson briefly before the event. In this way jargon or technical terms can be clarified.

It is helpful for the deaf person also to be provided with copies of the above material in advance. They can then familiarise themselves with the material. This avoids the meeting or event having lengthy pauses whilst the deaf person reads the material before being ready to lipread and watch the interpreter again.

The interpreter would usually stand or sit at the front next to the speaker and next to any visual aids. The deaf person would usually sit in the front row of a conference, or opposite the chairperson and interpreter in a meeting. Thus the deaf person can see both the speaker and the visual aids without having to turn their head.

The interpreter should not sit in front of a window and their faces should be well lit. The background behind them should be plain and uncluttered so that it does not distract visually. The deaf person should be given the opportunity to choose the seating position, which they consider gives them an optimal view.

All conversations or contributions should be made in a natural way and at a normal pace. It is not necessary to check if the interpreter is coping or to look and see if they are keeping up with your pace when you are speaking. The Interpreter will ask the speaker or anyone contributing to repeat something if they have not heard clearly. They will ask speakers to slow down or speed up if necessary.

The interpreter cannot be involved as a participant in group activities although they can act as an interpreter in them. They are unable to, or give advice about anything. They cannot comment on whether the deaf person is understanding the content of the meeting or event.

The interpreter can only listen to one person at a time. If more than one person speaks, neither contribution is interpreted. In a conference contributions from the audience should be repeated or paraphrased by the speaker so that the deaf person has the opportunity to lipread them.

Language that is interpreted into BSL is presented slightly after it has been spoken. Deaf people therefore often find it hard to contribute to a discussion as it moves on ahead of them. It is therefore important to check if the deaf person wishes to contribute. It is helpful that anyone wishing to contribute to a discussion raises their hand slightly. This allows the deaf person to know who is making a particular point.

If a comment is directed at a deaf person it is important to look at the deaf person, make eye contact with them and to speak to them in a normal and natural way. Comments should not be directed at the interpreter. The deaf person will not make eye contact all the time. They will look to and from the person and the interpreter, as is suitable for themselves.

It is helpful to use visual aids, however non-subtitled videos or DVDs are difficult to interpret unless the interpreter has watched them in advance. A deaf person will be unable to watch these or write down information whilst watching the interpreter. It is important to allow time for looking before resuming speaking.

Timing

Being an interpreter or using an interpreter is tiring and requires intense concentration. It is necessary to have regular short breaks (e.g. 5 mins every hour).

If an event lasts longer then two hours it is usual to book two interpreters. In such instances the interpreters will alternate at regular intervals.

Booking interpreters

The Hearing Impaired Service or Middlesbrough Council does not have any BSL Interpreters.

Interpreters are often very difficult to book. It is extremely advisable to make bookings as far in advance as possible and to be as flexible as possible. Interpreters are booked for a minimum of two hours and will charge a fee plus travelling expenses.

It is possible to book a freelance interpreter directly or to book an interpreter through an agency. Details of current North East BSL interpreters and agencies can be found by doing a search on the Internet.

Booking details:

You will need the following information:

Date, time & address of the event
Brief details of the event
The size of the event
The number of deaf people planning to attend
A contact name and number

If you would like any further advice please contact Lesley Gallagher, Head of the Hearing Impaired Service on 01642 201822.

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