Sign language interpreting
On-site and video interpreting for appointments, meetings and events.
Sign languages · sign language
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting and translation
British Sign Language is the language of the Deaf community in the United Kingdom, with its own grammar and regional variation, and is recognised in law across Great Britain.
British Sign Language (BSL)
- Script
- None (signed language); fingerspelling and written texts use the local alphabet
- Direction
- Signed (visual-spatial)
- ISO 639-3
bfi
BSL is a visual language in its own right. Its word order, use of space, facial grammar and classifiers differ from English, and many Deaf people who use BSL as their first or preferred language read English as a second language. BSL is unrelated to American Sign Language. It belongs to the BANZSL family with Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and New Zealand Sign Language, which share much of their history and grammar.
Regional variation in BSL is marked, especially for numbers, colours and days of the week, and often reflects the Deaf school a person attended. Signing in Scotland, the north of England, Wales and London can differ noticeably, and younger and older Deaf people may use different vocabulary.
Legal recognition: the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act requires Scottish public bodies to publish BSL plans, and the British Sign Language Act recognises BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland and requires government reporting on its use. In Northern Ireland, BSL and Irish Sign Language are both recognised by the government, and both are used by Deaf people there.
- Main areas: United Kingdom
Communities abroad are not shown. Point to an area to see its name.
How we help
British 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®
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and BSL translation by SILA Linguists®
British Sign Language is a visual language in its own right, used by Deaf people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where Irish Sign Language is used too. BSL belongs to the BANZSL family with Auslan and New Zealand Sign Language and is unrelated to ASL. SILA Linguists® provides NRCPD-registered BSL interpreters, BSL video translation and captioning for healthcare, courts, police, social care, schools, employers and event organisers across Britain, with support for BSL users travelling or working in North America, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
BSL interpreting with regional matching
Regional variation in BSL is marked, especially for numbers, colours and days of the week, and often reflects the Deaf school a person attended. Signing in Scotland, the north of England, Wales and London can differ noticeably, and older and younger Deaf people may sign differently. Please tell us the Deaf person's region and preferences, as matching helps in medical, legal and social care appointments. Some Deaf people prefer an interpreter of a particular gender for intimate healthcare or sensitive meetings, and we arrange that on request.
Our NRCPD-registered BSL interpreters work face to face in GP surgeries, hospitals, maternity units, mental health services, tribunals, police stations, courts, child protection meetings, colleges and workplaces. Video remote interpreting suits shorter appointments, and for conferences, AGMs and online events we provide co-working teams. A Deaf interpreter can join a hearing interpreter in court, police or mental health settings, or where a Deaf person's language is affected by limited schooling.
BSL translation into and out of English
Because BSL's word order, use of space, facial grammar and classifiers differ from English, many Deaf BSL users read English as a second language, and a leaflet alone may not get the message across. We translate written English into recorded BSL video, prepared by Deaf translators, for patient information, safeguarding leaflets, council services, employee handbooks, training and websites, and we translate signed BSL video, such as a statement or feedback, into written English.
Captioning and transcripts
For video, webinars and recorded meetings we provide captions and written transcripts of spoken and signed content, so information reaches Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing audiences alike.
Settings for our linguists in BSL
Our vetted, trained and qualified BSL interpreters can support NHS trusts and private healthcare, courts, tribunals and police, social care and child protection teams, schools and further education, employers and Access to Work users, and conference organisers. SILA Linguists® arranges everything through one project team, checks registration and vetting, and protects every assignment with confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR. Bookings can be one-off or regular, and for long-running cases we try to keep the same interpreters so the Deaf person is not constantly meeting strangers.
Good to know
Working with British Sign Language
Interpreting
- SILA provides BSL interpreting face to face, by video remote interpreting (VRI) and for conferences, meetings and online events. Please tell us the region and the Deaf person's preferences, as matching regional signing helps in medical, legal and social care appointments. Some Deaf people also prefer an interpreter of a particular gender for intimate healthcare or sensitive matters.
- Professional BSL interpreters in the UK are usually registered with NRCPD or another recognised register such as the SRLPDC. For long or complex assignments, two interpreters work as a co-working team. A Deaf interpreter working with a hearing interpreter is recommended in court, police interviews, mental health assessments and with Deaf people who have limited language or use another country's sign language.
- VRI works well for short appointments and remote meetings when the screen is large enough and the connection is reliable. Deafblind people may need hands-on (tactile) or visual frame signing, and Deaf people at international events may need International Sign in addition to BSL.
Translation
- BSL translation means producing filmed BSL versions of written content such as letters, leaflets, consent forms, policies and web pages. Good practice is a Deaf translator working from a checked script, with a review before publication. English captions or subtitles can be added for hearing and hard of hearing viewers but do not replace BSL for Deaf sign language users.
- We also translate recorded BSL into written English, for example interview recordings or evidence, and can provide subtitling and transcription for mixed audiences.
Related languages
British 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 British Sign Language is often needed
- NHS and private healthcare
- Courts, tribunals and police
- Social care and child protection
- Education and further education
- Employment and workplace support
- Conferences and public events
Explore more sign languages or see all languages A to Z.
Get in touch
Need a British 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.