Sign language interpreting in public service settings

Sign language interpreting in public service settings

Public service settings are diverse and sign language interpreters work in any situation where deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind persons who use sign language would like to communicate with those who are not familiar with their sign language. These settings vary from a parent-teacher meeting at the school of the hearing child of a deaf parent, a medical consultation, to a funeral.

For short meetings of an hour or less without any special requirements, a single interpreter will typically provide the interpretation. A longer meeting, such as a town hall meeting, requires at least two interpreters.

Just as spoken languages, sign languages are not universal. It is essential to always ask prior to booking the interpreting services, which sign and spoken languages will be used at the meeting. Often a sign language user has a preference for a sign language interpreter they frequently work with. With this information, as well as a brief on the content of the meeting, an interpreter can be requested. Interpreters are experts and skilled in a great number of topics to interpret. Always verify though before the booking if the interpreter is nationally qualified and is able to interpret the specific topic.

Many of the EU member states have legislation or regulations entitling persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind to be provided with a sign language interpreter. The extent of these services varies depending on the country, and can be very limited in, for example, the number of free interpreting hours, or the availability of interpreters.

As public service settings are often one-to-one meetings, those who are not familiar with working with a sign language interpreter assume that the interpreter is participating in the meeting. However, the sign language interpreter is there to facilitate communication and is not directly participating in the conversation.

We have also gathered some information on conference sign language interpreting and sign language interpreting in legal settings.