British sign language (BSL) interpreters help deaf and hearing people to communicate with each other in a wide variety of situations.
Communication can be one-way, as in lectures or classes, or two-way, as in meetings or discussions.
You could be:
You would work in a variety of situations, such as media, health and social work settings. You'd be interpreting at job interviews, courts of law, lectures or classes, training events, media events and conferences.
The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:
Salaries and rates vary since many interpreters work freelance.
Full time interpreters might earn around £20,000 and £32,000 a year or more.
For freelancers, the National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI) provides guidance figures. For Scotland, fees for a full day range from £180 for a trainee up to £220 for a fully registered interpreter.
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You need:
BSL is a visual form of communication using hands, facial expression and body language, and is recognised as a language in its own right.
Although there are other types of sign language, British Sign Language is the most common form used in Britain. It is not dependent on the English language, and has its own syntax and grammatical structure.
Courtesy of Deaf Umbrella
The following organisations may be able to provide further information.
British Deaf Association (BDA)
Tel: 0141 248 5565
E-mail:
bda@bda.org.uk
Website:
http://www.bda.org.uk/
Twitter:
@BDA_Deaf
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BritishDeafAssociation
Institute of British Sign Language (IBSL)
Tel: 01925 632463
E-mail:
admin@ibsl.org.uk
Website:
http://www.ibsl.org.uk/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/IBSL2011
National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)
Tel: 0191 323 3376
E-mail:
enquiries@nrcpd.org.uk
Website:
http://www.nrcpd.org.uk
Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI)
Tel: 07788 722 528
E-mail:
mail@sasli.org.uk
Website:
http://www.sasli.org.uk
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sasli1981
SASLI is the Scottish regulating body for Sign Language interpreters for and maintains an official register for qualified interpreters.
Signature
Tel: 0191 383 1155
Minicom / Textphone: 0141 418 7193
Website:
http://www.signature.org.uk
Twitter:
@SignatureDeaf