Linda
Job title
Manager, Signing Unit
Company and location
BBC, London
Industry sector
Interpreting
Background
Worked in the early days of video and television interpreting.
Family members are deaf, so always used sign language.
Previous jobs in social work, lecturing, in senior posts in communications management, and as Chief Examinations Officer for the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP).
What does work at the unit involve?
The unit comprises in-vision signers and staff who help in the post-production of BBC programmes translated into sign language. I also sign some of the programmes myself. We work on an average of six programmes each day and ten news bulletins each week: they include Panorama, Watchdog and Tweenies. We have programmes going out daily with most of our output broadcast overnight Monday through Thursday. If you’re up at 1.00 a.m. on any of those nights, tune into BBC1 and you’ll get a flavour of our signed programmes.
How big is your audience?
There are around 60,000 deaf people in Britain, but our audiences range from 200,000 to one million. Viewers include the families of deaf people and people working with the deaf.
How do you sign the programmes?
Except for the news, all programmes are pre-recorded and we film the signing separately. Normally we prepare our signing in the morning, from the recording or sometimes from a script or subtitles. Deaf in-vision signers use autocue screens, whilst hearing in-vision signers use TV monitors and sound. We film in the afternoon and broadcast that evening – so we’re always working to tight deadlines. Sign language is not just about hand movements. We use British Sign Language, which can be hugely expressive. We use a combination of signs, fingerspelling and lip patterns, as well as facial expressions and upper body movement for emphasis.
What challenges are involved in interpreting from English to Sign?
The grammar used in BSL is different to that of spoken languages so you can’t make a literal translation. To give a simple example – if I’m signing a car going over a bridge, I need to sign the bridge before I sign the car; otherwise the car would have nothing to go over! It’s a matter of setting the context before describing the action.
What skills and qualities do TV signers need?
Fluency in British Sign Language at BSL level 4 or as native user.
A good command of English.
Good memory and recall.
Intelligence, confidence and maturity.
Ability to get on with others in a team environment.
Any tips?
In order to interpret across a range of programmes signers need a good grasp of current affairs – so in addition to other skills, make sure you know what’s going on in the world. By 2008 we will be signing up to 5% of the BBC’s output (it’s currently 3% in 2004), so we hope to offer more opportunities for in-vision signers.
Source: Paul Kingston Associates / Connexions