What makes ASL interpreter services unique?

American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language for many deaf individuals in America. Many of them heavily rely on ASL interpreter services, especially for business interactions such as interviews and work meetings. Today we will discuss what ASL interpreter services are and their importance in today’s world. 

Let’s first define what an interpreter is. Interpreters know multiple languages and can act as a bridge between two or more people who want to talk but face some sort of communication barrier. Spoken language interpreters help out in medical settings and legal proceedings, just like ASL interpreters do. What makes ASL interpreter services unique is that their deaf clientele can never fully function in our world. Deaf people have a severely limited ability to hear and cannot catch onto the English language like foreigners who settle in America. Because of this, the relationship between an ASL interpreter and the deaf community members they serve is absolutely crucial. These professionals will often interpret for these people throughout their careers and will build ties with many deaf community members. 

How to hire ASL interpreters 

Interpreting agencies hire ASL interpreters, often in the form of independent contractors. There are interpreting agencies that offer their services in multiple languages and other agencies that focus solely on ASL interpreting. Either way, these agencies typically follow similar business models. Whenever someone needs to set up interpreting services, they have to contact an agency if they don’t have staff ASL interpreters on hand. That person will tell the agency what time the appointment is and get all the details worked out on behalf of the deaf person. Next, the agency contacts their interpreters and asks around until an interpreter accepts the assignment. If no one can accept the job, the agency has to get back in touch with the person who requested the interpreter services and figure out how to best proceed on a case by case basis.  

Interpreting agencies are the ones who assign work to their interpreters. These will either be assigned individually to a specific interpreter or on a first come, first served basis if a request gets sent to everyone on the list. Most of the time, these interpreters can either accept or reject any offer of an assignment. It can be challenging to get ASL interpreter services for a last-minute appointment, especially if the location is far away from where the interpreter lives. That’s why rural communities often struggle to find interpreters that can be available at any moment. Unless there are ASL interpreter services available within their immediate vicinity, it is rare for rural areas to get an in-person ASL interpreter services. Long commutes are not immediately reimbursed to the interpreters in these scenarios while they work for agencies.  

Video Relay Service (VRS) technology 

ASL interpreter services are there to help those who cannot hear gain access to communication. The advent of Video Relay Service (VRS) technology has allowed the deaf community to gain better communication access over the phone. Several VRS call centers use ASL interpreter services to interpret calls and leave messages for deaf people. VRS callers can be anyone and everyone located within the United States. Whenever a deaf person wants to call a non-deaf individual, their call automatically connects with a VRS interpreter before connecting to the person on the other end. In this way, the deaf person can see the ASL interpreter interpret back and forth between English and ASL during the call. VRS is not the only service available that can work in that capacity. For example, languagers.com offers web video conferencing interpreter services. Since many of us have to work from home and connect to virtual meetings via Zoom and other web conferences, this is a beneficial service to have at our disposal readily.  

Languagers.com hires highly skilled and qualified ASL interpreters to offer their services. They can help out in capacities pertaining to medical care, insurance, government, education, business, and legal settings. Languagers.com is available 24/7, and their company evaluates their interpreters regularly to check on their level of proficiency, education, and certifications. All interpreters comply with HIPPA standards and always keep the information they hear confidential. No matter if you request an on-site, phone, web video conferencing, or online conference meeting through them, rest assured all of that information will remain confidential with any ASL interpreter that is working. These ASL interpreter services can do 2-way, 3-way, or 4-way remote interpreting over live web video conferencing, and you can use either a cell phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to access a session. 

Today’s world relies even more heavily on technology and remote communications. ASL interpreter services on languagers.com can also provide top-notch professional services in several capacities.  

How ASL language is different from English 

Professionally certified ASL interpreters always seek out continuing education opportunities to help them learn industry-specific jargon and concepts and understand how to best portray those concepts in ASL. ASL is a visual language and is entirely different from English. That’s why it is crucial for interpreting agencies to provide the most qualified personnel for any required task. Interpreter services are essential and easily accessible now, thanks to the online web video conferencing technologies that continue to improve. We hope that what you have learned today has provided you with helpful information regarding ASL interpreter services. An interpreter’s job is not easy, but deaf individuals can get proper communication access through the services of a qualified, certified interpreter.