Sign language service providers help provide actual communication to people with hard of hearing, or those who are deaf. Sign language employs signs made using hands and other body movements such as facial expressions and body postures in order to facilitate communication. Getting the right person or company for sign language interpretation services will require a deep look as there are many different sign languages, for example, American and British Sign Languages.
A sign language interpreter may not only have qualifications to offer sign language services, but also a degree for certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). The interpreter should indicate more competency, and more common sign language services should be done as they will boost the confidence to contract clients that require sign language services. There are other qualities that a sign language interpreter should possess as well.
Here are the top four characteristics of the best sign language interpreter.
- Perfect Communicator
Body expressions are essential in communication. A sign language interpreter should be able to communicate the unspoken expressions and deliver them to the audience in the form the audience will understand and comprehend. There are tricky moments that are hard to read and interpret, like in hospital settings. A good sign language service provider should know how to pass the correct message and communicate back the response in spoken form to enable easier communication.
- Passionate
The best sign language service providers are passionate on how they handle their work. The interpretation services are a people service, and to perform the interpretation well, a sign language interpreter must possess a passion for assisting the deaf or hard of hearing people.
- Ethical
The sign language service provider plays a medium role in interpretation. Therefore, it means they aren’t involved in the communication but rather report what has been spoken between the two speakers. The information revealed during communication should not be released outside to any third party. Everything talked about has to remain confidential.
The best sign language interpreters are well-versed with the roles they play and should not interfere with what is spoken about but deliver word for word. In addition, the best sign language service providers have education and knowledge about the HIPAA regulations. This is a clear indication that they adhere to not sharing confidential or personal information, and they follow the privacy laws. The laws set by HIPAA and Code of Ethics from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf are in place to help protect the Hard of Hearing or Deaf person.
- Experience
Sign language service providers are contracted by different disciplines involved in medical, legal, education, or corporate settings. While it is essential to get an interpreter specializing in the discipline you want, a sign language interpreter should have enough experience to handle what is subjected to them. Besides, a well-rounded sign language interpreter has all the training and expertise to perform exceptional work as a sign language service provider.