Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Interpreting Services

Interpreting is defined from The Globalization and Localization Association as “Interpreting is the facilitation of spoken or signed language communication between users of different languages. The formal ISO (International Standards Organization) definition for interpreting is as follows:

“Rendering a spoken or signed message into another spoken or signed language, preserving the register and meaning of the source language content.”

In the language industry, there are three primary modes of interpreting: consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter listens and renders the message in the target-language at the same time as the speaker is speaking. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter speaks after the source-language speaker has stopped speaking. Sight translation is the oral rendition of a written text. In all cases, the interpreter must quickly and carefully convey the meaning, tone, and intent of the original message into the target language. Interpreting requires excellent language proficiency, the ability to quickly analyze and transfer messages between languages, and adherence to professional ethics and standards of practice. Interpreting is performed face-to-face and remotely. Remote interpreting requires technological platforms to facilitate telephonic and video multilingual communication.

Interpreters are employed in a multitude of settings including courts, schools, medical facilities, social services, national and international institutions, and more. Advances in interpreting technologies are facilitating more and more virtual and remote interpretation scenarios, making interpretation achievable in new settings and scenarios.

“American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes. The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements, all play important parts in conveying information.

Sign language is not a universal language — each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. Like any spoken language, ASL is a language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. Like all languages, ASL is a living language that grows and changes over time.

ASL is used predominantly in the United States and in many parts of Canada. ASL is accepted by many high schools, colleges, and universities in fulfillment of modern and “foreign” language academic degree requirements across the United States” – The National Association of the Deaf. There are over 400 unique sign languages across the globe that are utilized by over 70 million people.

There are approximately over one million people in the United States in which American Sign Language is currently their primary language. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the leading authority on setting the parameters for when and how communication accommodations are required in both public and private settings. Individuals who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard-of-Hearing come under the ADA. Any accommodation that falls under the ADA is the cost responsibility of the business/service entity and not the person requiring the accommodation. Additional information is available at http://www.ada.gov/pubs/ada.htm.

While every interpreting encounter is complex in nature, there may be occasions when two or more interpreters are required.

Current industry research shows that depending on the technicality, content and speed of discourse, the average interpreter experiences an increase of errors and omissions after 15-30 minutes of continuous simultaneous interpretation. In addition, due to the unique physical component in producing sign language, the interpreter also experiences an increased risk of Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) when necessary precautions are not taken.

In response to these research findings, sign language interpreters are often paired together, which can effectively mitigate errors in interpretation, increase quality control, and reduce the exposure to the potential physical harm that is associated with RSI.

Due to the complexity/demand of the interpreting process and the implications therein, Sign Language interpreters are trained and vetted through various accredited certifying bodies to possess the necessary skill and competence to facilitate effective communication with Deaf/HH individuals. By utilizing qualified resources, an organization can mitigate internal risks due to medical errors, violations of confidentiality, unnecessary testing, poor adherence, increase in preventive care compliance, wrongful conviction, reduce malpractice exposure and unintended poor outcomes, and avoid infringement of civil rights. The US Department of Health and Human Services, along with other government and municipal entities, emphasize the difference in those who are qualified to interpret and those who are not. In most cases, onsite staff, friends and family members are not ethically permitted or deemed qualified to interpret.

All MasterWord services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is important to note that due to a high demand for American Sign Language interpreters, it is best practice to request services as soon as is foreseen. Three to five business days for known scheduled requests is recommended. For special events such as conferences, performances and others, two to four weeks advance notice is recommended. This ensures the confirmation and availability of the appropriate resources to meet the requested need.