British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters help Deaf and hearing people to communicate in a variety of settings such as:

• health and social services
• religious services
• legal, police and court (criminal & civil)
• employment
• further and higher education
• arts, theatre and television.

They have high-level skills in two languages, English and BSL, which is now recognised as a language in its own right.

Interpreting involves:

• listening carefully to, or watching, the message
• extracting the meaning
• finding an appropriate way to express the message in the second language
• making any necessary preparation before an assignment, for example searching for specialist vocabulary and finding out about the subject and the people involved

Interpreters must:

• maintain confidentiality and impartiality
• interpret everything that is said or signed
• only give advice if it improves the communication process.

Hours and Environment

Hours are not fixed and interpreters may be expected to work at night and at weekends.

Interpreters work with a variety of people in many different situations. Locations may include:

• schools, colleges or universities
• health centres
• residential homes
• housing associations
• voluntary organisations.

Public service interpreting may also involve working in:

• local government offices
• hospitals
• immigration centres
• law courts and prisons.

Some jobs may involve travelling and require a driving licence.

Advances in technology and the increasing use of video-telephony mean that Deaf people may be able to contact a BSL/English interpreter and access their services online, and at much shorter notice. Such advancements enable the interpreter to cover more assignments each day: for example, they can be booked for short meetings or consultations. 

Skills and Interests

To be a BSL interpreter you should:

• have a good knowledge of the Deaf community
• enjoy working with a range of clients
• enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• have excellent spoken communication skills
• have excellent BSL skills
• have confidence when speaking in public
• be able to maintain intense concentration and think rapidly
• have integrity and a sense of responsibility.

Entry

• by doing a university course leading to a degree or postgraduate qualification approved by IRP
• by completing NVQ Level 4 in Interpreting (BSL/English) and an approved qualification in BSL (to work towards an NVQ you usually need to be working with deaf people on a paid or voluntary basis).

To get onto both routes you are likely to need qualifications in BSL up to level 2. You can do these at many colleges and at Centres for the Deaf. It is advisable to contact providers of interpreter qualifications to check that your BSL qualifications are acceptable. Visit the CACDP website (listed in Further Information below) for contact details.

Training

• Junior Trainee Interpreter (JTI)
• Trainee Interpreter (TI)
• Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters (MRSLI).

As a JTI or TI you could be more restricted in the type of assignment you can accept than MRSLIs, who have full professional status. This will depend on the amount of experience you have.

You can do interpreter training programmes or assessment for CACDP NVQ Level 4 in Interpreting (BSL/English) through a number of organisations. The level at which you can register will depend on which qualification you have completed.

At present the following four qualifications will enable you to register as an MRSLI:

• University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) Postgraduate Diploma in BSL/English Interpreting
• Leeds University MA in Interpreting Studies
• Leeds University Postgraduate Diploma in Interpreting Studies
• CACDP NVQ Level 4 in Interpreting (BSL/English) and an approved BSL assessment.

You can do programmes leading to registration as a JTI or TI at the following universities:

• University of Bristol
• University of Wolverhampton
• University of Durham
• University of Central Lancashire
• Heriot-Watt University
• University of Leeds
• Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education
• Middlesex University

Visit the 'LSP Registration' section of the CACDP website (in Further Information below) for full details of higher education qualifications for each level and approved centres offering the NVQ. You should check the qualifications and/or experience you will need for entry with the individual providers.

Opportunities

There is an increasing demand for BSL interpreters, particularly in such areas as:

• further and higher education
• employment
• health
• law.

People with relevant qualifications might work in organisations for Deaf people, or within social services departments, or they may be self-employed or work through an agency. Some interpreters move into research.

The government has taken action to improve access to BSL, for example, by identifying and funding situations where it might be reasonable for employers and service providers to engage the services of a BSL interpreter.

Annual Income

Fees/salaries for BSL interpreters vary widely depending on experience, employer and location.

As a guide interpreters employed by agencies on a full-time basis may earn between £20,000 and £30,000 a year.
Freelance interpreters may earn between £20 and £30 an hour.

SASLI can advise members on fees, and their website has details of recommended fees.

Interpreters may also claim for expenses, unsocial hours, preparation time and other reasonable expenses.

Further information

PO Box 32152
London
N4 2YZ
Tel: 0871 474 0522
Textphone: 0871 474 0522 20 Bedfordbury
London
WC2N 4LB
Tel: 020 7379 5101 Donaldson's College
West Coates
Edinburgh
EH12 5JJ
Tel/textphone: 0131 347 5601 Durham University Science Park
Block 4
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3UZ
Tel: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915 Walsingham Road
Colchester
Essex
CO2 7BP
Tel: 01206 509509
Fax: 01206 769755
Text: 01206 711260