Sign language interpreting
On-site and video interpreting for appointments, meetings and events.
Sign languages · sign language
Turkish Sign Language (TİD) interpreting and translation
Türk İşaret Dili (TİD) is the sign language of the Deaf community in Turkey and among many Turkish Deaf people living in Europe.
Türk İşaret Dili (TİD)
- Script
- None (signed language); fingerspelling and written texts use the local alphabet
- Direction
- Signed (visual-spatial)
- ISO 639-3
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TİD is a full language with its own grammar and is not a signed version of Turkish. References to signing at the Ottoman court are known, but the modern language developed mainly in and around Deaf schools and associations in the twentieth century. It is not known to be closely related to the European sign languages around it, and it is usually treated as an isolate.
Turkey's law on persons with disabilities provides for the development of Turkish Sign Language and its use in public services, which is generally regarded as legal recognition. There is regional variation, for example between Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and differences between older and younger signers.
In Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and other European countries, Turkish-heritage Deaf people may use TİD, the local sign language, or a mixture of both, depending on where they went to school.
- Main areas: Türkiye
Communities abroad are not shown. Point to an area to see its name.
How we help
Turkish 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®
Turkish Sign Language (TİD) interpreters and video translation from SILA Linguists®
Türk İşaret Dili (TİD) is a full language with its own grammar, not a signed version of Turkish. It developed mainly around Deaf schools and associations, and it is not closely related to the European sign languages around it. Turkish law provides for its development and use in public services. SILA Linguists® provides TİD interpreting, sign language video translation and captioning for Deaf people in Turkey and Turkish Deaf communities across Europe, and can support immigration services, hospitals, courts, police, schools and employers in Britain, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
TİD interpreting on site and by video
TİD has regional variation, for example between Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and differences between older and younger signers, so tell us where the Deaf person grew up and went to school. Ask too whether they prefer TİD or the sign language of the country where they now live; many Turkish Deaf people in Germany or the Netherlands have contact with local sign languages.
We provide TİD interpreting on site and by video remote interpreting for immigration and asylum interviews, hospital and GP appointments, police interviews and court hearings, school and family support meetings, and workplace and employment matters. A Deaf interpreter working alongside a hearing interpreter helps in legal and asylum settings and where the Deaf person has had limited schooling. In family settings, hearing relatives should not be asked to interpret.
Translating written texts into TİD
We produce recorded TİD video translations of written information, prepared with Deaf translators, for health guidance, rights information, employer policies and school communications, and we translate signed TİD video into written English or Turkish. Turkish civil documents, such as population register extracts, are translated and certified by our Turkish team.
Captions and transcripts
Recorded interviews, statements and videos can be supplied with captions and written transcripts in English, so that hearing professionals have a clear record. Information films aimed at Turkish Deaf communities can carry TİD in a video window together with Turkish and English captions, which helps Deaf viewers, hearing family members and staff follow the same content. Every caption file is checked by a person before delivery.
Sectors we support in Turkish Sign Language
Our vetted, trained and qualified TİD interpreters can support immigration and asylum services, healthcare providers, courts and police, schools and family support teams, and employers. One project team at SILA Linguists® coordinates Deaf and hearing interpreters, all professionals are vetted, and confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR cover every session. For regular appointments we try to keep the same interpreters, which helps Deaf clients and professionals build a steady working relationship.
Good to know
Working with Turkish Sign Language
Interpreting
- SILA provides TİD interpreting on site and by video remote interpreting, in Turkey and abroad. A Deaf interpreter working alongside a hearing interpreter is helpful in legal and asylum settings and where the Deaf person has had limited schooling.
- Ask whether the Deaf person prefers TİD or the sign language of the country where they live. In family, healthcare and religious contexts, preferences about interpreter gender should be respected where possible.
- Relay through a hearing Turkish interpreter is sometimes used; this adds time and should be planned for.
Translation
- Written Turkish documents are handled by our Turkish certified translation service. For Deaf audiences, written content can be translated into filmed TİD, preferably by a Deaf translator, with Turkish or English subtitles added where useful.
Related languages
Turkish 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 Turkish Sign Language is often needed
- Immigration and asylum
- Healthcare
- Courts and police
- Schools and family support
- Employment
Explore more sign languages or see all languages A to Z.
Get in touch
Need a Turkish 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.