47 sign languages, each with its own grammar
Sign languages are not universal: British Sign Language and American Sign Language, for instance, are entirely separate languages. We cover BSL, Irish Sign Language and ASL, French, German, Austrian, Swiss German, Italian, Spanish and Catalan Sign Languages, French Belgian, Flemish and Dutch Sign Languages, and the sign languages of the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, Central Europe and the Balkans, including Greek and Cypriot Sign Language. Arabic, Iranian, Kurdish and Turkish Sign Languages, together with Guatemalan Sign Language, complete the list.
A Deaf person who has recently arrived in the UK, North America, Australia or New Zealand often signs in the language of their country of origin, and SILA Linguists® finds the interpreter who understands them.
Sign language interpreters in person and by video
Our sign language interpreters support Deaf people at medical appointments, court hearings, job interviews, school meetings and conferences. For BSL we work with NRCPD-registered interpreters. Video interpreting, through our app or your platform, suits short conversations and urgent situations. When someone uses a foreign sign language, home signs or has particular communication needs, a Deaf interpreter (relay) works alongside a hearing interpreter. Conference interpreting, consecutive or simultaneous, escort interpreting and the choice of a female or male interpreter are also available.
Signed translation, captions and transcripts
We translate your written texts into recorded sign language video: health information, safety instructions, accessible web pages or internal communications. In the other direction, we turn signed video into written text, for example a witness account or a statement. We also produce captions and written transcripts of signed or spoken recordings, so your content stays accessible to everyone.
Sectors and reasons to book
Our vetted, trained and qualified sign language interpreters can support the NHS and other healthcare providers, mental health services, courts and solicitors, police, social services, housing, education, charities, employers and the media. SILA Linguists® gives you one project team, vetted interpreters and confidentiality guaranteed by NDAs and UK GDPR.
