5 Tips When Hiring American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter is a highly educated person. They can convey a spoken language into American sign language and vice versa. An ASL interpreter must speak at least one native language and have a full understanding of ASL signage, which includes body language and fingerspelling communication.

American Sign Language interpreters get hired when someone needs to speak to a deaf person, or when a deaf person needs to talk to a hearing person. Even if the deaf person and the hearing person know the same written language, the deaf person cannot speak words clearly like a hearing person. 

Sure, a deaf person could write down their words for the hearing person to read, but that isn’t always an option.  What if they need to speak to each other on the phone on on-site? Better yet, what if they need to have a video conference on the internet? Typing on a keyboard or tapping virtual keys on the phone does not convey communication fast enough. That is why ASL interpreters are needed. 

ASL interpreters can convey the verbal and signage communication between a hearing person and a deaf person very quickly. The service can be performed on-site, on the phone, or in a video conference call on a computer or mobile device. 

Here are the five essential tips to follow to ensure that you hire a qualified ASL interpreter:

1) Education

Their minimum education requirement must be a Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language from an accredited college or university. But to ensure that you have a skilled ASL interpreter, they should also possess certification in ASL too. 

National Association of the Deaf is one of the organizations that awards ASL certifications. An interpreter with his certification has proven to have competence as an interpreter of sign language and spoken language. 

2) Experience

The ASL interpreter must have experience. Their linguistic and cognitive skills in English and American Sign Language need to be flawless. As ASL interpreters, they don’t need to convey written communication. They only deal with verbal and signage communication. If they have at least five years of experience on their resume, then they should do a great job. 

3) Specializations

An ASL interpreter may know how to convey standard conversations in English and American Sign Language, but that doesn’t mean they know specific terminology of a particular industry. 

For example, you may need an ASL interpreter who specializes in government, legal, business, education, medical, insurance, or healthcare terminologies. If that’s the case, then you must screen your applicants carefully to find an ASL interpreter who knows the terminology that you need to convey.  

4) Check the Time Zones

American Sign Language interpreters may come from different time zones than you. If you need to schedule a conference call at a particular time that is convenient for you, then you need to make sure your ASL interpreter is close to your time zone. They may agree to be flexible with their schedule if you need a late or early morning session. 

In most cases, there should always be an ASL interpreter available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. You just need to find a company that has several ASL interpreters on standby throughout the day and night.  

5) Reputation

The best American Sign Language interpreters work for reputable companies and service providers with vast network of interpreters throughout the U.S. They always have a certified ASL available online to assist people in their video or phone conversations. Not only do they possess terminology proficiency in various industries, but they’ve all signed confidentiality agreements as well. Therefore, interpreted conversations will remain private afterward!

Check out Languagers Website for more information.