British Sign Language interpreter
The work
The role of the British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter is to help two-way communication between deaf and hearing people in a variety of settings. They have high-level skills in two languages, English and British Sign Language (in the United Kingdom), and have special training in the theory and practice of interpreting (comparable to a spoken language interpreter). They have to listen carefully, or watch the message, extract the meaning and then find a way to express the message in the second language. There is no 'word-for-sign' correspondence between BSL and English and each language has its own grammatical structure.
As a result of recent campaigning, the government now recognises BSL as a language in its own right. This is welcomed by the deaf community and may introduce improvements to the services offered by interpreters.
Interpreters may have to prepare any papers relevant to an assignment in advance. This allows them to search for specialist vocabulary and to familiarise themselves with the subject and the people involved before an assignment, including, for example, minutes, agendas and summaries of speeches.
Hours and environment
Hours are not fixed, but employed interpreters normally work a 35-hour week. However, due to the varied nature of the work, interpreters may be expected to work at night and at weekends. Places of work vary greatly and may involve meeting a variety of people in different situations. BSL/English interpreters may work in schools, colleges or universities or in health centres, residential homes and voluntary organisations. Public service interpreting may also involve working in local government offices, hospitals, immigration centres, law courts, and prisons. Some posts may involve travelling and require a driving licence.
Skills and interests
To be a BSL/English interpreter you should:
- have a good knowledge of the deaf community
- enjoy working with a range of clients
- enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- have excellent spoken communication skills
- have excellent BSL skills
- have confidence when working in public
- be able to maintain intense concentration and think rapidly
- have integrity and a sense of responsibility.
Entry
There are a number of institutions that offer interpreter training programmes or assessment for the CACDP Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting. Programmes that have been accepted for professional registration purposes have been mapped against National Standards for Interpreting.
Most universities require applicants to have passed the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP) Stage 2 Certificate in BSL. A few courses may accept applicants with a lower level in BSL, subject to interview. Applicants are also expected to have a good general education and demonstrate a good command of English. Applicants should contact the provider for further details on entrance criteria.
Training
Training for interpreting covers: BSL and English for interpreting; knowledge of linguistics; bilingual and bicultural knowledge; theories of translation and interpreting; interpreting practice (including supervised placement); interpreting as a profession; the contexts of interpreting; preparing for assignments; evaluation and self-assessment.
Opportunities
There is an increasing demand for BSL/English interpreters, particularly in such areas as FE, HE, employment, health and law.
People with relevant qualifications might work in organisations for Deaf people, or within social services departments, or they may be self-employed. Some interpreters enter careers in research.
Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP)
Tel: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915