SIGN LANGUAGE VS CAPTIONING

 

Many people understand and speak English language but there are a lot of people who would like to start their business in their native language. We are sure if you want your business to reach every corner of the world, you would like to have captioning or sign language services for your clients especially for deaf or hear of hearing ones. Understanding your client’s preferences and working in accordance with it shows the professionalism of any business. Even if you are not expanding your business yet and only going on business trips then how will you jump over that language barrier? It’s easy, you will have captioning or sign language services!  

There’s no denying the fact that Coronavirus pandemic has changed the world of numerous people particularly for the hearing-impaired individuals who face different challenges, literally daily. As the Covid-19 started, higher authorities initiated to hold daily conferences to educate the community through the Internet and television. For this deaf community, people often ask if the need of sign language services is enough or will captioning provide the things which they deserve? We at Languagers, believe that this topic in general initiates a whole new subject and the answer is not straight. So, let’s get this started.  

Need of Sign language Interpretation  

The past conferences during Covid-19 times – encountered several problems at these meetings. In other cases, the interpreters are not accessible in the live feed since the camera settings have been adjusted on the medical officer’s speech with captions on screen. Government officials found a lot of criticism from deaf individuals who did not know what to do to stay healthy and safe (with on screen captions). There has been a trend to reduce expenses and use captioning services but people believe that these are still not perfect in most cases.  

Besides, Sign language Interpretation can provide assistance to your business by helping you prepare for your international marketing plans, signaling different functions, and you can consult hard of hearing people throughout your business meetings. Sign language Interpreters can help you cover the gap that is present between the targeted and the original languages. Sometimes these ASL interpreters even ask questions raising their eyebrows and hence, captioning services do not help to get the final result we want! No one wants such blunders on their globally expanding business or daily routine tasks therefore thinking about captioning services sometimes may seem a little vague! 

Need of Captioning Services  

For the deaf community, captioning services are also needed as the ASL might not be enough to handle things. Captioning informative videos will benefit the deaf people to understand more, have a hold on data, know more vocabulary and they may grasp things faster. However, sometimes, the presence of ASL is not needed depends on the situation for instance there are YouTube channels that cover several COVID-19 topics with captioning services right on point. The way deaf people communicate depends on the extent of their hearing loss and the way things are for them in school. Some people have sign language training while others receive oral education or might learn English as a second language. 

Sign Language vs Captioning 

What technique do you favour the most to visually represent speech on the media platforms for the deaf people? This refers to the fact that post-lingual or pre-lingual deafness approach is there. To ensure that everyone has full access to such videos, we must have both options including Sign Language Interpretation or Captioning Services. Due to the different preferences, backgrounds, and native languages of video viewers, it will be great to offer both English subtitles and ASL services to ensure access. To know more, feel free to contact us at Languagers.  

How American Sign Language Services are Rising to Challenges Posed by COVID-19

Demand for American sign language services has skyrocketed since the start of 2020. However, sign language interpreters and translators are also facing new challenges as a result of COVID-19. 

 

When physically present at events, it is now common to see interpreters wearing masks. However, while masks can help prevent the spread of COVID, they can also impede an ASL translators' ability to translate speech 100% accurately. 

How Do Masks Affect American Sign Language Services?  

 

 

How wearing a face mask impedes an ASL interpreter from being able to translate speech 100% accurately is simple.  

 

As well as hand gestures, people who use American Sign Language also rely on facial expressions to relate information. This being the case, when interpreters wear a mask, deaf people aren’t able to fully understand what information ASL interpreters are relaying.

• For a deaf person, watching an ASL interpreter who is wearing a mask is like listening to a conversation in broken English. 
• Often, it is difficult to understand the context of a conversation when deaf people can’t read facial expressions or mouth gestures. 
• In some cases, masks themselves can be distracting. 

Interpreting speech into American Sign Language is also often a highly physical activity. Wearing a mask can, therefore, leave ASL interpreters feeling fatigued and physically uncomfortable. However, this does not have to be the case. 

How are American Sign Language Services are Responding to New Challenges? 

Are you organizing an event where you hope to have an ASL interpreter present? If so, the last thing you want to do is to hire an interpreter who attendees might not be able to fully engage with. Thankfully, our team at Languagers can connect you with fully remote American Sign Language interpreters.  

 

When utilizing video interpretation services, you and your customers or event attendees can engage with ASL interpreters via real-time video links. This method of interpretation is also suitable for almost any event or meeting context.   

• Video ASL interpretation can be used in private meetings (including medical appointments), and a wide variety of customer service contexts.  
• At large events where large screens are present, ASL interpreters can appear without masks via video from remote locations, where they translate what speakers are saying in real-time to event audiences. 
• At Languagers, we can connect you with ASL interpreters who can provide flawless video interpretation in a matter of minutes. 

When utilizing video interpretation services, all that is necessary is a reliable Internet connection and access to devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It also always pays to liaise with interpreters ahead of important events or meetings to discuss how conversations or presentations will be structured. 

In-Person ASL Interpreting is Still Possible with the Right Precautions 

At Languagers, we are one of America’s leading providers of video remote interpreting. However, we also acknowledge the fact that many deaf people still prefer it when ASL interpreters are physically present in meetings. 

 

Thankfully, it is still possible to hire in-person ASL interpreters to be present in meetings and at events. It is also possible to do so without having to worry about interpreters wearing masks.  

 

At large events where ASL interpreters might appear on-stage, following social distancing guidelines will usually be enough to prevent (potential) spread of COVID-19. In theory, this is also true for ASL interpreters present in small meetings and gatherings. However, there are also other ways to ensure event and meeting safety. 

• When wearing masks is necessary, interpreters and deaf business clients or customers can wear ‘window masks.’ 
• Window masks are masks with a transparent area that reveals the mouth of wearers. 
• By being able to see the mouth and facial expressions of wearers, window masks ensure that speech to American Sign Language (and vice versa) can be translated 100% accurately. 

All that needs to be remembered when using window masks, is that businesses should ideally provide these to interpreters and deaf clients or customers. This will ensure that appropriate masks are always available when needed. 

Businesses Should Ask Deaf Clients What Method of ASL Interpretation They Prefer  

Is utilizing video interpretation services the best option for your business? Or might hiring in-person interpreters to be present at meetings and events be a better option? 

 

As a rule, businesses in America should always attempt to ask deaf customers themselves which method of ASL interpretation they prefer. Often video interpretation will the most low-cost option for businesses. However, some people might not feel comfortable communicating on-screen.  

 

Thankfully, whichever means of ASL interpretation might be right for you, our team at Languagers can help. To find out how reach out to one of our representatives today by clicking here.