Sign language interpreting

What is sign language?

Sign language, a natural human language, uses facial expressions, body language, hand gestures, hand shapes, hand movement, and position to communicate numbers, letters, words, and phrases. There are over 300 forms of sign language around the world, and each has its unique grammar, vocabulary, and semantics. Sign languages are similar in that each sign consists of differing handshapes, palm orientation, location, and movement, but any variation will change the entire meaning of the sign. 

All forms of sign language developed naturally and are a stand-alone method of communicating that is not derivative of another language. The most well-known sign languages are American sign language (ASL), British sign language (BSL), Chinese sign language (CSL), French sign language (FSL), and Kenyan sign language (KSL) among others. At Tamarind Language Services, we offer sign language services in any required sign language.

Why sign language interpretation?

In a world where the telephone is rapidly being replaced by video calling and Zoom meetings, sign language has never been more important. An ageing population, an increase in the number of hard of hearing and deaf people, and the pandemic motivated rise of remote meetings have put sign language at the forefront of business needs. In 2021, providing accessible communication for all is essential for a successful business.

Sign language interpretation enables the participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in social, economic, legal, and religious events and activities.

What is sign language interpretation?

Sign language interpretation facilitates communication between people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and the hearing community. Sign language interpreters are highly skilled, as the nuances and grammar between different forms of language can be extremely hard to translate correctly. Tamarind’s team of sign language interpreters are exceptionally experienced professionals with expertise in specialisations such as law, finance, information technology, and medicine. 

How does sign language interpretation work? 

 Sign language interpretation can take two principal modes for in-person (physical) meetings:  

1. Simultaneous language interpretation: a sign language interpreter listens to a speaker or observes another person using sign language, and simultaneously translates the conversation into the required sign language for the deaf or hard-of-hearing audience.  
2. Consecutive language translation: a sign language interpreter listens to a speaker or observes another sign language interpreter, then after the speaker pauses, translates the conversation into the target sign language for the deaf or hard-of-hearing audience.

Either simultaneous or consecutive interpretation modes can be used during physical, remote (virtual), or hybrid meetings.

Why Tamarind’s sign language interpretation services?

As a language services provider, we offer sign language interpretation services for both in-person (physical) and remote (virtual) set-ups tailored to the client’s requirements.

Tamarind’s sign language interpreters ensure the full inclusion of people with hearing impairments at multilingual meetings.