Information > British Sign Language (BSL)/English Interpreters
Is an interpreter needed?
It is important to ask the Deaf person what their preferred method of communication is before you book an interpreter.
terptree can book interpreters and other forms of communication support as needed:
- Sign Supported English (SSE)
- Lipspeakers
- Notetakers
- Electronic Notetakers
- Speech to text reporters
- Deafblind Communication Guide/Interpreter
And anything else that is needed
What does an interpreter do?
An interpreter conveys information from one language to another working simultaneously without adding or omitting any meaning and with full respect of confidentiality.
An interpreter is not there to be involved in the interaction or offer advice other than relevant comments on the practicalities surrounding the job.
Everything that is said will be interpreted; including any side comments and questions.
Interpreters can also interpret from written text to BSL for example: in a written exam, or on medical consent forms.
Interpreters follow a professional Code of Conduct that is set out by The National Registers for Communication Professionals working with Deaf and DeafBlind people (NRCPD), allowing you to expect the highest level of interpreting service and professional conduct.
Some people refer to the role as 'deaf interpreting', but the correct term is BSL/English Interpreting.
terptree can provide you with advice and information and also book interpreters and other forms of communication to suit your needs.
Professional Standards
There is a register of trained interpreters that is held by the NRCPD.
The registration categories are:
- Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters (MRSLI)
- Trainee Interpreter (TI)
- Junior Trainee Interpreter (JTI)
Interpreters registered with NRCPD have Professional Indemnity Insurance and have been CRB checked.
See www.nrcpd.org.uk for more information about these categories.
There is also a professional body that supports the profession of sign language interpreting called Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI).
There are two membership categories:
- Full member (MASLI)
- Associate member
Members of ASLI also have Professional Indemnity Insurance and have been CRB checked.
For more information please see www.asli.org.uk
Certain domains such as Mental Health and Legal work require more experienced interpreters with the registration category of MRSLI/MASLI. These individuals have met the National Standards of Interpreting.
Those individuals who have passed: Level 1, Level 2, NVQ Level 3, Level 4 are not interpreters and have received no interpreter training.
Fees
Please contact terptree to find out fees for your booking. Cancellation terms are detailed in terptree Terms and Conditions.
Complaints
If you have a complaint about an interpreter that you have booked through terptree, please see the terptree Terms and Conditions in the first instance. If you need further guidance, refer to the Complaints Procedure.
NRCPD have a 'Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure for Sign Language Interpreters'. terptree can provide a copy of this on request.
What will happen?
The interpreter will sit or stand at the front, next to the speaker and in visual range of aids such as OHP and projector. This is so that the Deaf person can see everything at the same time without having to move.
If you are making a booking that is 50 minutes or more, please ensure that breaks are negotiated with the interpreter.
If placing a booking for two hours or more, you will need to book two interpreters.
Watching an interpreter all of the time is tiring, so ensure that you are also allowing breaks for the Deaf person.
If time runs over, it is best to discuss and agree this with the interpreter. If they are unable to stay, remember that the Deaf person no longer has access to what you are saying. This is also the case whilst the interpreter is taking a break, so ensure that the Deaf person is still included.
Preparation is vital!
Prepare your environment ensuring that you have good lighting and sound and make sure that that everyone can be seen and heard clearly as this will make things easier for the Deaf person and the interpreter.
Prepare your interpreter by having notes and handouts readily available.
If you have minutes from a previous meeting or an agenda, try to get these to the interpreter before the booking if possible.
If these are available on the day, enable the interpreter to be better prepared by allowing them reading time beforehand.
If watching a video, it is useful to inform the interpreter and give a brief outline of the content.
Prepare yourself: be aware that if the Deaf person takes notes they will miss information from the interpreter. It is also good practice to be strict when chairing meetings so that only one person speaks at a time, as an interpreter cannot interpret for more than one person at a time. It is also useful to name the person that is about to speak, as this information can be relayed to the Deaf person.
Try not to walk in front of the Deaf person's sightline, as they will not be able to see the interpreter.
Please see the terptree tips:
Some quick do's and don'ts
Tips on how to work with a Deaf person in a training course
Tips on how to work with an interpreter