Diving into the world of deaf translators - The Limping Chicken
Today, we’re diving into the world of deaf translators—a unique role that’s so much more than just bridging the gap between written and sign languages. Deaf translators navigate not just language, but culture, emotions, and nuances that might be lost on hearing translators.
For this article, four deaf translators from Signly, who translate articles on this site, gave their answers to the questions. They are: Anna Herriman (AH), Amy Beckett (AB), Ayesha Gavin (AG) and Matt Kirby (MH).
They’ve also translated their answers, so just click on the signing hands (in the bottom right-hand corner of this page) and then click on the text to see them in action!
What first sparked your interest in becoming a sign language translator?
AB – Before all this, I was a Mental Health support worker for six years in three different placements. These placements focused on supporting Deaf individuals with Mental Health issues and empowering them. As part of that role, I supported Deaf individuals with English, translating letters, bills and text messages from English to simplified BSL to help them understand. This role made me realise how much I enjoyed translating, giving Deaf individuals access.
AH – I am a qualified BSL teacher teaching Signature levels 1-3. It was the first COVID pandemic lockdown that sparked my interest into becoming a sign language translator. When churches closed, I was asked to translate hymns into BSL on video and I thought wow, I can do this!
AG – I run my own business as a qualified Deaf BSL teacher, teaching levels 1-6 and running interpreter/translator courses, as well as working with families of Deaf children. There is not much accessible information out there, so I wanted to do something about it. I have always enjoyed languages and translation so this seemed the natural way to do it.
MK – I am a CODA, so all my life I’ve translated English into BSL for my parents. Many friends told me that I should be translator, but I didn’t think I could – I’m an actor so I was good at translating from an English script to BSL, I didn’t think about more than that. So becoming a translator was thanks to my wife who encouraged me to do the translation course! And I loved it.
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