Sign language interpreting
On-site and video interpreting for appointments, meetings and events.
Sign languages · language family or group
Arabic Sign Language interpreting
SILA Linguists provides Arabic Sign Language interpreting for Deaf people from countries and regions across the Arabic-speaking world. Each country has its own national sign language, so we match the interpreter to the sign language the Deaf person actually uses.
In its own words
لغة الإشارة العربية
- Script
- None (signed language); fingerspelling and written texts use the local alphabet
- Direction
- Right to left
Arabic Sign Language is the everyday name for the sign languages used by Deaf communities across the Arab world. Sign languages are not based on spoken languages, so a shared spoken or written Arabic does not mean a shared sign language. There are many distinct sign languages in the region, including Egyptian, Levantine (used in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine, with local differences), Iraqi, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Emirati, Libyan, Tunisian, Moroccan and Yemeni sign languages, as well as small village sign languages. Some are closely related; others are not.
The Unified Arabic Sign Language is a standardisation project. A regional dictionary has been published with the aim of a common sign vocabulary for the region. It is used in some television broadcasts and official settings, but many Deaf people continue to use their national sign language in daily life.
For interpreting, the useful question is therefore: which country did the Deaf person grow up in, and where did they go to school?
- Main areas: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Palestinian Territories, Mauritania, Western Sahara
Communities abroad are not shown. Point to an area to see its name.
How we help
Arabic Sign Language services
Video interpreting
Remote interpreting by secure video, where visual contact is essential.
Video translation and captions
Captions, subtitles and sign language video for your content.
SILA Linguists®
Arabic Sign Language interpreters for Deaf people from the Arab world with SILA Linguists®
Arabic Sign Language is the everyday name for the many sign languages used by Deaf communities across the Arab world. A shared spoken or written Arabic does not mean a shared sign language: there are distinct Egyptian, Levantine, Iraqi, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Emirati, Libyan, Tunisian, Moroccan and Yemeni sign languages, as well as small village sign languages. SILA Linguists® provides interpreting, sign language video translation and transcripts for Deaf people from Arabic-speaking countries using asylum services, healthcare, courts, social services and education in Britain, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Interpreting matched to the national sign language
Tell us the Deaf person's country of origin and any other countries where they have lived. We then assign an interpreter for that national sign language, often a Deaf interpreter working with a hearing Arabic or English interpreter, which gives the most accurate result for many Deaf people from abroad. A Deaf person who has lived in Europe may also know a European sign language, and that can be useful, but only if they confirm they are comfortable with it.
We arrange interpreting on site and by video remote interpreting for asylum interviews, hospital and mental health appointments, legal advice and court hearings, social services assessments and education meetings. Female or male interpreters can be requested, which many Deaf clients and families from the region value in healthcare and family matters.
Signed video translation
Written Arabic is a second language for many Deaf people, and literacy varies. We translate important written information into recorded signed video, prepared with a Deaf translator in the relevant national sign language, and translate signed video statements into written English. Civil and identity documents in Arabic are translated and certified by our Arabic team.
Captions and written records
We provide captions and written transcripts of recorded sessions, video statements and information films, so that hearing professionals and Deaf viewers have the same content. The Unified Arabic Sign Language is a standardisation project rather than anyone's first language, so we do not rely on it for interviews; information films, however, can be prepared in the national sign language most of your audience uses, with Arabic and English captions.
Sectors we support in Arabic Sign Language
Our vetted, trained and qualified interpreting teams can support asylum and immigration services, healthcare providers, courts and legal advisers, social services and schools. SILA Linguists® coordinates Deaf and hearing interpreters through one project team, with vetted professionals, confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR safeguards. Before the appointment we brief the whole team on names, places and the purpose of the meeting, and we allow time at the start for the Deaf interpreter to establish how the person signs.
Good to know
Working with Arabic Sign Language
Interpreting
- Tell us the Deaf person's country of origin and any other countries where they have lived. We then assign an interpreter for that national sign language, often a Deaf interpreter working with a hearing Arabic or English interpreter, which gives the most accurate result for many Deaf people from abroad.
- A Deaf person who has lived in Europe may also use the host country's sign language, for example BSL, German Sign Language or French Sign Language, which can be the most practical option. A short video communication check helps confirm this before an important appointment.
- In healthcare and family matters, preferences about interpreter gender are common; we provide an interpreter of the requested gender. For asylum and legal work, allow time for relay and breaks.
Translation
- Written documents are translated from Modern Standard Arabic through our Arabic certified translation service. Signed video translations should be made in the specific national sign language of the intended audience; a video in Unified Arabic Sign Language or in another country's sign language may not be understood.
Related languages
Arabic Sign Language and its neighbours
Choose a language to see its page. Getting the right variety matters: tell us the region or dialect if you know it.
Where Arabic Sign Language is often needed
- Asylum and immigration
- Healthcare
- Courts and legal advice
- Social services
- Education
Explore more sign languages or see all languages A to Z.
Get in touch
Need a Arabic Sign Language interpreter?
Our bookings team will confirm the details with you and arrange the right linguist. Have the language (and dialect, if you know it), the type of assignment and the date ready.