How to Be Sign Language Translator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 16, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Learning sign language can have a positive effect on communication. It can bridge the gap between those who are deaf and those who can hear, allowing them to communicate without having to rely on a third party. Sign language also provides a great way to connect with a deaf or hard of hearing person in a more meaningful way.

Furthermore, it can open up job opportunities in fields like education, social work, or even medical settings. knowing sign language can help you be more empathetic towards the deaf community, as well as providing a better understanding of their culture and experiences. Finally, learning sign language can be an enriching and fun experience for anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge and abilities.

Steps How to Become

Pursue formal education in sign language. Completion of a bachelor's degree program in sign language interpretation is the minimum educational requirement for working as a sign language translator. However, many employers prefer to hire interpreters who hold a master's degree in the field.
Obtain certification. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) offers a national certification in sign language interpretation which is recognized by many employers. To be eligible for the RID certification, applicants must have completed a minimum of an associate's degree in sign language interpretation and have at least two years of experience.
Pursue a professional license if required. Some states require interpreters to obtain a license or certification before they can work with clients. Check with your state licensing board to determine the specific requirements.
Develop your skills and stay current on new technologies. Sign language interpreters must have excellent communication and listening skills, as well as good knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL). They must also stay up-to-date on new technologies, such as video relay services, which allow interpreters to work remotely with clients.
Look for employment opportunities. Sign language interpreters typically work in healthcare, education and legal settings. Job postings can be found through professional organizations, such as RID, or on job boards like Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor.

The ability to keep up-to-date and capable is essential in today's technology-driven world. Staying current requires effort and dedication, as trends and technology are constantly evolving. One way to stay abreast of developments is to collaborate with experts in your field, either through networking or attending conferences.

reading industry publications and following news sources is helpful in keeping up-to-date. taking classes or workshops to build capabilities can also be beneficial. Having a broad understanding of the field, staying current on the latest developments, and becoming more technically proficient are all key components of staying capable.

With these measures, one can remain informed and competent in their chosen profession.

You may want to check Technical Translator, German Translator, and Medical Translator for alternative.

Job Description

Sign Language Interpreter: Responsible for translating spoken language into American Sign Language (ASL) and vice versa. Must be highly proficient in ASL and possess excellent communication skills.
Sign Language Instructor: Educates individuals on the basics of ASL, including finger spelling, facial expressions, and body language. Responsible for developing lesson plans and working with students on an individual level to improve sign language skills.
Sign Language Transcriptionist: Transcribes spoken language into ASL or signs into written text. Must be highly proficient in sign language and have excellent writing skills.
Sign Language Video Interpreter: Interprets video calls into ASL and translates ASL into spoken language. Must have excellent communication skills and be proficient in both ASL and the spoken language being interpreted.
Sign Language Captioner: Creates captioning for television, movies, and other media that includes both audio and visual cues for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Must be knowledgeable in audio and video editing software.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Proficient in American Sign Language (ASL)
Understanding of grammar and sentence structure in ASL
Ability to accurately interpret signed language into written or spoken English
Ability to accurately interpret spoken English into signed language
Knowledge of Deaf culture and etiquette
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
Good organizational and time management skills
Computer literacy and familiarity with video conferencing technology
Ability to use translation software as needed
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team

Having the ability to communicate effectively is a key skill in any profession, and it is a particularly important skill for people who work in the field of sign language translation. The cause of this is that sign language interpretation requires the ability to accurately interpret and convey what is being communicated between two or more people in a different language. This means that a sign language translator must have a deep understanding of both the language they are translating and the culture of the people they are translating for.

As a result, having a strong command of grammar, an extensive vocabulary, and excellent listening skills are essential for any sign language translator. knowledge of linguistics and an understanding of how different cultures communicate can also be extremely beneficial. With the right set of skills, a sign language translator can facilitate effective communication between those who may not otherwise be able to understand each other.

Interpreter/Translator, Arabic Translator, and Text Translator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How long have you been working as a Sign Language Translator?
What experience do you have in interpreting for deaf individuals?
Are you fluent in any other sign languages?
How familiar are you with the cultural and social aspects of the deaf community?
Are you comfortable interpreting for a variety of settings such as medical, legal, and educational?
What challenges have you faced when interpreting for the deaf community?
How do you stay up to date on the latest sign language trends and innovations?
Do you have any experience teaching sign language to hearing individuals?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy when interpreting complex concepts or technical information?
How do you handle situations where there is a language barrier between the deaf person and the hearing person?

Common Tools in Industry

SignTranslate. An online sign language translator that can be used to convert text and speech into sign language. (eg: SignTranslate can be used to convert a spoken sentence into American Sign Language).
Signly App. An iOS app that translates text into sign language videos that can be shared with friends and family. (eg: Signly App can be used to create sign language videos from text messages).
SignGenerator. A web-based application that generates animated signs from text. (eg: SignGenerator can be used to create animated signs from English text).
SignWriter. A software program that can be used to create sign language documents. (eg: SignWriter can be used to create documents in American Sign Language that can be printed or shared digitally).
ASL Dictionary. A comprehensive digital dictionary of American Sign Language words and phrases. (eg: ASL Dictionary can be used to look up the definition of any sign language word or phrase).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC)
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI)
American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA)
International Sign Language Interpreters Association (ISLIA)
International Sign Language Interpreters of Europe (ISLIE)
European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (EFSLI)
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)

We also have French Translator, Cultural Translator, and Chinese Translator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Sign Language. A language consisting of visual gestures and signs that are used to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Fingerspelling. A manual alphabet used to spell out words in sign language.
Finger Grammar. The grammar and syntax rules used in sign language.
Non-Manual Signals. Facial expressions and body movements used to emphasize or modify words in sign language.
Deaf Culture. A shared set of values, beliefs, and practices among the Deaf community.
Gloss. A dictionary of terms and phrases used in sign language.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sign Language Translator?

Sign Language Translator is a technology that interprets sign language into text or speech, allowing people with hearing impairments to communicate more easily with people who do not use sign language.

How does Sign Language Translator work?

Sign Language Translator utilizes video and artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize hand gestures and symbols, and then translates them into text or spoken words. It can also convert spoken words into sign language.

What are the benefits of using Sign Language Translator?

Sign Language Translator enables better communication between people with hearing impairments and those who do not use sign language. It can also help with social inclusion, as it allows people with hearing impairments to more easily interact and participate in conversations.

What types of sign languages are compatible with the Sign Language Translator?

The Sign Language Translator is compatible with American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), French Sign Language (LSF) and International Sign Language (ISL).

How accurate is the Sign Language Translator?

The accuracy of the Sign Language Translator varies depending on the type of sign language being used and the quality of the video input. However, in general, it is estimated to be around 90% accurate.