Sign Language Translator

FAQ

Question: Can you be a sign language translator for this?

Answer: Translating is a lot of work. If you send me a huge script, or even several paragraphs, it will take up a lot of my time to write out a translation for you... and even longer if you want a video. I really don't have the time to do that.

If you are translating something, you are most likely doing it for a class, and I suggest you be the sign language translator yourself. I know, it's difficult, but you really won't learn anything unless you practice. And I wouldn't be a very good teacher if I did your work for you.

I can give you some tips about translating:

If you are translating a song, try to go for the meaning of the song, not just the words. Because when you are interpreting English into ASL, you have to interpret the actual meaning, not just the words.

You can read more about interpreting songs on the Life Print website here: ASL and Music / Signed Songs. The reason I go for more of the meaning interpretation choice is because when I took an ASL Theatre/Poetry class, a widely known theatrical sign language translator was helping us interpret songs for our final project. He interpreted the meanings, and it was so much more accurate ASL because of that. And it was so much more beautiful! For my final project, I signed the song Mr. Grinch (it was around Christmas). For example, for the line "your heart's an empty hole," instead of just signing the words YOUR HEART EMPTY HOLE, the interpreter had me sign it like this.... YOUR HEART EMPTY-HOLE(signed this by making a circle with my hands, putting it to my chest, then bringing it up to my mouth, and blowing into it). So much more visual and fun! Just like ASL.

You can see examples of the translation of some popular religious songs here: Traditional Christian Music, just so you can get an idea of what I mean.

If you are translating anything else, same thing, go for the meaning, and remember the simple ASL word order from the ASL classes. I suggest buying one of my recommended books below if you need more help.

ASL interpreting book recommendations: