Guatemalan Sign Language (LENSEGUA) interpreting and translation

LENSEGUA interpreting, often with a Deaf interpreter

Many qualified LENSEGUA interpreters are based in Guatemala and work by video, so please give us the date and setting as early as possible. For many assignments, the most effective arrangement is a hearing interpreter working with a Deaf interpreter, sometimes called a Deaf relay or intermediary, who adapts the message to the person's own signing and checks understanding. This is particularly valuable for Deaf people who had little schooling or who sign with strong local features.

We provide LENSEGUA interpreting by video remote interpreting for immigration and asylum interviews, court hearings, legal advice sessions, medical and mental health appointments, social services meetings and adult education, and on site where an interpreter can attend. In asylum and court settings, written Spanish or ASL should not be relied upon.

Sign language video translation

Translating written documents into LENSEGUA means producing a filmed sign language version, normally prepared by a Deaf translator from a checked script. We create LENSEGUA videos of consent forms, rights information, appointment letters and public information. Spanish subtitles can be added, but they are not a substitute for signed content for people whose first language is LENSEGUA. We also translate signed video, such as a recorded statement, into written English or Spanish.

For Guatemalan birth certificates, identity papers or school records, the source text is written Spanish, and our Spanish team provides certified translation with a signed declaration of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities, and arranges the certification that US and other authorities require.

Captions and transcripts

We produce written transcripts and captions of signed and spoken recordings, such as interviews and video statements, so legal teams and caseworkers have an accurate English record.

Sectors we support in LENSEGUA

Our vetted, trained and qualified LENSEGUA interpreters can support immigration lawyers and asylum services, courts, hospitals and mental health teams, social services and schools. SILA Linguists® coordinates the whole team, Deaf and hearing interpreters alike, through one project manager, with vetted professionals, non-disclosure agreements and UK GDPR protection for every session and recording. LENSEGUA interpreters, and Deaf interpreters working alongside hearing colleagues, can support US immigration courts, Canadian refugee hearings and hospitals by video.