HOW ZOOM IS CHANGING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE?

It’s 2021, and undoubtedly no one is now a stranger to video chats. But ever heard about American Sign Language (ASL) before? Since 1927, this ASL interpretation is right there from the very beginning but with the 2020-COVID-pandemic restraining individuals to be isolated – the platforms for instance Skype, Webex, Zoom and several others got the much-needed hype. This is a result of altered aspects of American Sign Language as people are willing to rely completely on such video conferencing platforms.  

Zoom – Support for Deaf or Hard of hearing People 

When we talk about Zoom, the consecutive meetings and online sessions attended by thousands of individuals highlighted the need for this platform. On the other hand, the limited size of the window during Zoom’s video meetings indicates the issues that may arise for people with hard of hearing or deaf individuals. Though, zoom screen enables people to show the hand-moves but displaying of sign languages isn’t that effortless.  

This is so because several signs cannot be properly made in the dimensions of the Zoom screen. For instance, sign language interpreters demonstrate and make signs of “body” by making “B” with hands and must move it till the hips from the shoulders. But with Zoom, due to lesser space – interpreters are unable to deliver the expected signs. So, how Zoom influences the overall sign language system? Zoom’s other feature is the pre-recorded video that favours individuals to focus and learn more. And this, in turn accommodates interpreters to experience virtual classes. 

Knowing the fact that American Sign Language’s grammar is related to the facial expressions, we should know that several faces are there during a Zoom video conferencing session. As compared to class, the students are more attentive during Zoom but the teacher or interpreter needs to repeat things as students might not see signs visibly. For sign language classes, teachers make use of cards or other physical tools, which aren’t possible in Zoom. Although Zoom can help to have card games but the virtual aspects aren’t the same anymore and rather than passing out the cards – emailing them isn’t that simple. 

Sign Language and Means of Communication 

With Zoom, sign language interpreters not only go slower but also try to make things or signs with a single hand. By repeating the sign on a tiny conference screen and making smooth angles with their bodies, they bridge the gaps of communication. Moreover, people need to make sure that each sees the hands of the other individual. It is significant to understand the sign languages and the thing which should be kept in mind while adapting to Zoom. When the signs are away from a person’s body but in the forward motion, they often demonstrate the future tense while the opposite is the case with past tenses.  

The sign languages are not easy to detect on a Zoom’s video conference. In such a case, interpreters or teachers must write the content down or make the sign with the body and hands by keep on moving. Besides, sign language often requires more space for instance pointing or indicating at someone hence this might not go smooth for video conferencing platforms like Zoom. These things might return when individuals do one-on-one interactions as sign languages require specific physical movements and have strong identities.  

Final Verdict  

Though Zoom empowers deaf individuals as it offers both text and video chat, but the uninterrupted Zoom’s use may constrain and shape the sign languages like never before. Moreover, the environment, individuals we communicate with or other tools may be a contributing factor in such communicative and language practices. At Languagers, we understand the significance of virtual learning platforms like Zoom and offer our services for your growth and convenience.  

To know more about American Sign Language, feel free to contact us and have a discussion!  

Quick interpreter guide for Zoom video conferencing

 

Zoom video conferencing is still a relatively new concept. Most interpreters in the world have worked as in-person interpreters in real-life settings. But due to the growing demand for remote work and home-based offices, many interpreters have to learn how to provide their services through a video conferencing platform like Zoom.  

 

It is not complicated to join or host a Zoom video conference if you’re an interpreter. In fact, the platform features options explicitly designed for interpreters to join and participate in video calls. But you’ll still need to learn the basics of how to operate the platform and make yourself look presentable to the participants on the call. 

 

Below are the top four tips to Zoom video conferencing that Languagers provides. They should help you get started in this effort.  

 

1) Face the Camera 

 

Position your face directly in front of the webcam or digital camera. Do not use a smartphone camera because it will be too shaky and difficult for people to watch you. An interpreter must look presentable to the other participants of the Zoom call. A stabilised camera fixed onto the computer screen or monitor is necessary for this reason.  

 

Sit up straight and look straight into the camera. If you need to look at the video feed of the person speaking, you can do that. But once they stop talking, look at the camera and give the interpretation of what they said.  

 

2) Choose a Solid Colour Background 

 

Do not have a distracting background, especially if you’re ASL interpreter. People will focus on your mouth and hands very carefully. The last thing you’ll want to do is distract them with a strange or unusual background. We recommend you use a solid-coloured background with no patterns or photographs. That way, everyone’s attention will be focused solely on you and not on anything else in your environment.  

 

If you don’t already have a solid-coloured wall in your house or office, you can use the “Change Background” feature in Zoom to customise the background appearance on video. You’ll need to have a digital picture of a solid colour to upload to Zoom and set as your background. You can easily find royalty-free images like this on the internet. Either that or you can open Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop and make the images yourself.  

 

3) Send Your Email Address to the Host 

 

The host of a video conference must invite the interpreter to join. As an interpreter, you must provide your name and email address to the host. They can take this information and use it to add you as an interpreter for the video conference call. You should receive a confirmation in your email about the date and time to join the call.  

 

Log into Zoom on the scheduled date of the call. You should see a popup window indicating which language you’re supposed to interpret. It will show something like “English to German,” or “English to Spanish.” Click the “OK” button to accept and join the call. You really don’t need to do much more than that. The host does most of the setup work.  

 

4) Wear Earbuds 

 

Interpreters should wear earbuds to listen to the audio of the video conference. Do not put the audio on speaker or wear headphones because your microphone might pick up the sound. Then it will be distracting to everyone on the call after each time they speak. Earbuds are like tiny headphones that stick in your ears. They ensure that nothing else can detect the sounds except for you.  

 

Most importantly, earbuds will reduce other distractive sounds in your environment. You’ll be able to primarily focus on the words coming from the participants of the conference call. Then you’ll have the power to give more accurate interpretations without misunderstanding what was said.