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Public Administration & LegalISCO 2643

Sign language interpreter

A sign language interpreter is a person who understands and converts sign language into spoken language and spoken language into sign, preserving the nuance and emphasis of the message in the receiver's language.

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Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

speak different languages

translate texts

show intercultural awareness

translate spoken language simultaneously

translate spoken language

About sign language interpreter

The work is done live. The interpreter performs simultaneous interpretation, which means receiving one language and producing the other at the same time, holding a sentence in memory while its ending is still arriving. Keeping the sense of the original is the governing rule: the interpreter conveys what was meant, not a word-for-word rendering, and that requires semantics and grammar in both languages, since sign language has a grammar of its own rather than being spoken language on the hands.

The interpreter also conveys nuance and emphasis: a question, a doubt, an aside and an instruction look different in sign language and have to stay distinct in the receiver's language.

The interpreter needs knowledge of hearing-impaired communication. The interpreter also works in different settings, from a medical appointment to a business meeting. Registration and certification requirements are set by national rules on sign language provision.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (14)

screen readerscreen readerSoftware program which converts screen elements such as text, images, or buttons, displayed in the computer into Braille or speech. Assistive technology used by visually impaired or blind people to in...communication related to hearing impairmentcommunication related to hearing impairmentThe phonologic, morphologic and syntactic aspects and characteristics of human communication for individuals affected by hearing impairment.hearing disabilityhearing disabilityImpairment of the ability to discern and process sounds naturally.linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.sign languagesign languageA system of communication using visual gestures and signs, used by hearing impaired individuals.semanticssemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies meaning; it analyses of words, phrases, signs, and symbols and the relation between them.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.translate textstranslate textsTranslate text from one language to another, conserving the meaning and the nuances of the original text, without adding, changing or omitting anything and avoiding the expression of personal feelings...show intercultural awarenessshow intercultural awarenessShow sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to p...translate spoken language simultaneouslytranslate spoken language simultaneouslyTranslate what a speaker says accurately and completely at the same rate of speech without any lag time.translate spoken languagetranslate spoken languageTranslate the dialogue between two speakers and the speeches of individuals into written text, oral or sign language in your mother tongue or in a foreign language.preserve original textpreserve original textTranslate texts without adding, changing or omitting anything. Make sure the original message is conveyed. Don't express your own feelings and opinions.translate language conceptstranslate language conceptsTranslate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are ...
Optional (17) — show
body languagebody languageNotice and interpret the non-verbal signals that people send out with their body, including yourself.fingerspellingfingerspellingThe image of letters of alphabets using only one’s hands.court interpretingcourt interpretingThe form of interpreting where it is mandatory to accurately translate everything the source says in order not to mislead the people who have to make judgements on the cases.lipspeakinglipspeakingThe practice of repeating a speaker's message to people with a hearing impairment without using your voice, but by clearly forming the shape of the words, the rhythm, the phrasing, and the stress used...voice interpretingvoice interpretingThe practice of interpreting sign language signed by a hearing impaired person into an oral language for the hearing party that does not understand sign language.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...interpret languages in conferencesinterpret languages in conferencesPut into practice techniques for interpreting information, either written or spoken, at conferences. Maintain accuracy and nuances of the message from one language to the other.support people with hearing impairmentsupport people with hearing impairmentAccompany the hearing-impaired to facilitate communication in various situations, such as training, work or administrative procedures. If necessary, gather information before appointments.translate spoken language consecutivelytranslate spoken language consecutivelyTranslate what a speaker says when the speakers pauses after two or more sentences, accurately and completely and based upon your notes. The speaker will wait until the interpreter finishes before pro...conduct scholarly researchconduct scholarly researchPlan scholarly research by formulating the research question and conducting empirical or literature research in order to investigate the truth of the research question.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.communicate using non-verbal languagecommunicate using non-verbal languageCommunicate with colleagues using body language and other non-verbal cues in order to ensure effective communication during operations.interpret spoken language between two partiesinterpret spoken language between two partiesConvert one spoken language to another in order to ensure the communication between two parties who do not speak a common language.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.analyse text before translationanalyse text before translationUnderstand the messages conveyed and the nuances of the text in the original text to be translated.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a sign language interpreter do?

Sign language interpreters understand and convert sign language into spoken language and vice versa. They maintain the nuances and the stress of the message in the recipient language.

What skills does a sign language interpreter need?

A sign language interpreter needs 14 essential skills, including screen reader, communication related to hearing impairment, hearing disability, linguistics, grammar.

Will AI replace sign language interpreter jobs?

The AI disruption score for sign language interpreter is 39/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: grammar, use word processing software, translate texts. Most resilient: communicate using non-verbal language, show intercultural awareness, support people with hearing impairment.

Quick Facts

SectorPublic Administration & Legal
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills14

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