Auslan, deaf interpreting and other sign languages

About Auslan interpreting

In 1991, the Australian Government recognised Auslan as a community language, and it is now considered the language of choice for Deaf people in Australia. The 2021 Australian Census identified that there were 4,109 speakers of Auslan in Queensland and 16,000 nationally.

Auslan-English interpreters work in very much the same way as spoken language interpreters do, mostly doing simultaneous interpreting. However, there are areas where Auslan-English interpreting work differs to that of spoken language interpreting.

Modalities and translation

Auslan interpreting is provided on-site or via video only. It is important when doing video remote interpreting that the Deaf person and interpreter can physically see each other, and the hearing person and the interpreter can hear each other. Video interpreting can be challenging as visual aids are frequently used, such as pointing to parts of the body, picking up objects being discussed, or pointing to people or equipment in the room. This needs to be considered by agencies when requesting a video Auslan interpreter.

Auslan translation means the translation of English source documents, audios or videos into Auslan. Auslan translations are presented in a video format. The video output may display an overlay of the source document content.

Physical positioning of the interpreter

Appointments

Typically, an Auslan-English interpreter will always sit opposite to the Auslan user, next to the English speaker. This is so the Auslan user can see both the interpreter and the English speaker who they are communicating with.

Meetings

In a meeting setting, an Auslan-English interpreter will sit opposite to the Auslan user. They will usually ask who will chair the meeting and/or who is most likely to speak the most during the meeting. Depending upon circumstances, the interpreter may change their position during the meeting. This may occur if the main speaker shifts to another person or if some type of overhead visual presentation is used for part of the meeting.

Conference / workshops with audience

Finally, in larger settings where there is a speaker addressing an audience, an Auslan-English interpreter will stand as close as is practicable to the speaker.

Media interpreting

There are requirements for media or broadcasting interpreting. ASLITA has produced media interpreting guidelines [PDF 529 KB] for this.

Occupational health and safety requirements

Mental and physical fatigue is common with Auslan interpreters because of the interpersonal and physical dynamics involved. It is industry standard to engage 2 interpreters for sessions where there is continuous, or mostly continuous interpreting over 1 hour. For media interpreting, 2 interpreters should be used, and they will swap places every 15 minutes. Interpreters work together in tandem to prevent mental and physical fatigue, and to comply with Occupational Health and Safety standards. This ensures smooth uninterrupted communication between all parties.

Spectrum of language use and language variation

Auslan-English interpreters need to be able to adjust to a broad range of language use and/or preferences of Deaf consumers in relation to interpretation. Within the sign language that is used in Australia, there is significant language variation. This includes:

Australian Sign Language (Auslan)

Auslan is a language with its own grammar, structure and pragmatics, used in Australia only. It is not English nor is it a visual form of English. There are two clear, distinguishable Auslan dialects, known as the Northern and Southern dialects. There can be notable language variations between states and, sometimes, even within states.

Auslan signed in English

Auslan signed in English is used by some Deaf people, whereby Auslan signs are produced in a grammatical structure that more closely reflects English grammatical structures. Often, fingerspelling of English words is more heavily used.

Signed English

This is a system (not a language in its own right) of signing to exactly replicate the English language. This system is usually used in compulsory educational settings and consists of signs that have been specifically contrived for the purpose of replicating the English language as well as including some Auslan signs that have been borrowed. After leaving compulsory education, most Deaf people cease using Signed English as a 'total' language approach; however, they often retain some of the lexical items (signs) from Signed English, using them in a more traditional Auslan grammatical structure.

Indigenous Sign Language

This is used by some Deaf people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. These individuals may use a dialect or even a variation of standard Australian Sign Language. For example, Deaf people from Far North Queensland may use Torres Strait Islander Sign Language, Aboriginal Sign Language, or a mixture of both.

Deaf interpreters

A Deaf interpreter may be booked alongside an Auslan interpreter when required. A Deaf interpreter is a person who is themselves Deaf, and like an Auslan interpreter is highly skilled translating from one language to another. They transfer meaning between Auslan and an alternate form of communication that can be understood by individuals who are not using standard Auslan. Deaf interpreters work together with an Auslan interpreter who will first interpret English to Auslan for the Deaf interpreter.

Deafblind/tactile interpreting

Deafblind/tactile Interpreting is used by people who are both Deaf and have vision impairment. The Deafblind individual places their hands over the Auslan interpreter’s and reads the signs through touch and movement. This can be exhausting for both the interpreter and the Deafblind client. Breaks are even more important than with regular interpreting and should be taken more often. Correct seating can also reduce the risk of strain or injury – both parties should be comfortable and at an equal height.

Overseas sign languages

There are perhaps three hundred sign languages in use around the world today. Some people living in Australia may have learned a different sign language in their country of origin. These languages are different from Auslan. LSPs should identify if they have interpreters available in additional sign languages. LSPs should also provide advice on how to address communication where there is no interpreter available in a person’s preferred sign language.