American Sign Language interpreting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What american sign language interpreting is

An American Sign Language interpreter converts spoken English into ASL and ASL back into English in real time, at appointments, meetings, classes or events. ASL is a separate language with its own grammar, not English on the hands, so an interpreter works between two languages rather than word for word.

Signs you need it

  • A Deaf or hard of hearing person you know needs an interpreter for a medical, legal, school or work appointment.
  • You are hosting an event, class or meeting and need an interpreter for Deaf attendees.
  • A conversation needs ASL interpreting and you cannot communicate with the person in writing alone.
  • You are arranging a service or a job interview that requires an interpreter for the Deaf candidate.
  • A recorded or live event has no interpreter and attendees have asked for one.
  • A long session will run for hours, and you need interpreters who can take turns.

What the pro does

  • Gets the details of the setting, the number of people, the topic and any technical terms before the booking.
  • Arrives early, reviews the material and meets the Deaf person or their team to agree how the session will run.
  • Interprets speech into ASL and signed content into spoken English in real time, keeping the meaning and tone.
  • Works in pairs for long sessions, switching every short period so the interpretation stays accurate.
  • Confirms key points at the end of the session where the setting requires it, and reports any problems with access.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the session and whether it needs more than one interpreter.
  • Setting, such as a medical, legal, school or business appointment, or a public event.
  • Technical or specialist content that needs preparation time.
  • Travel time and the location of the session, including whether it is remote.
  • Lead time, since last minute bookings can be harder to fill.
  • Whether a video or remote setup is needed, and the equipment for it.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The length of the session and how many interpreters the booking includes.
  • The setting and any preparation time for the material.
  • Whether a team of interpreters is needed for longer sessions.
  • Travel time, and whether remote interpreting is included.
  • Cancellation terms and how late changes are handled.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the setting, and how long will the session run?
  • Does the interpreter hold a national certification, and do they have experience in this setting?
  • Will you send a team for a long session, and how will they take turns?
  • Can you prepare with the material or the terms before the session?
  • What is your process if the connection fails in a remote session?
  • Will the Deaf person be able to meet the interpreter before the session?

Red flags

  • Offers to interpret for a Deaf person without asking about their preferences or the setting.
  • Uses a family member, especially a child, as the interpreter for a medical or legal matter.
  • Cannot describe the interpreter's credentials or experience with the setting.
  • Promises an interpreter for a session without checking availability.
  • Asks for full payment before the booking details are confirmed.

What you can do yourself

You can ask the Deaf person what they need, tell the interpreter the topic and any terms in advance, and provide written material ahead of time. Hire a professional interpreter for any medical, legal, school or business matter, and avoid relying on a family member or a child to interpret, since those settings need a trained interpreter who can keep the content accurate and private.

Licenses and permits

Sign language interpreting is not commonly licensed as a general business, so a license is usually not required for the work. Certification is a different matter, and some settings such as courts and medical providers may ask for a certified interpreter, so check the requirements of the setting and the interpreter's credentials with the organization that will host the session.

American Sign Language interpreting questions

Is ASL the same as signed English?

No. ASL has its own grammar, vocabulary and structure and is a separate language from English. Signed English follows English word order and grammar. An interpreter converts meaning between ASL and English, which is why a direct sign for each English word is not enough.

Should I book an interpreter or use written notes?

A Deaf person should decide how they want to communicate. Some prefer an interpreter for complex or sensitive matters, and some use writing for simple exchanges. Ask them rather than assuming.

How far ahead should I book?

Book as early as you can, especially for specialist or multi-hour work. Ask the interpreter how much notice they need, and give them the topic and setting when you book.

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