An interpreter is a person who accompanies a deaf and hard of hearing person in contact with society. This profession is indicated in the state of the largest business enterprises, where there are vacant places for people with auditory problems. Sign language interpreters convey sign language to such workers' plans. They also explain safety measures, regulate production issues, instructions and other oral information.
What does sign language translation mean?
Two blocks are determined in this direction: sign and sign. The first helps to translate common phrases. The second (it is also called dactology) is the literal sign language, otherwise manual alphabet. It is used to convey surnames, first names, names, or special terminology.
Each country has its own similar means of communication, but with different figures with signs, the essence is the same. About twenty years ago, a single language was formed for the deaf and dumb. This means that hearing impaired people from different countries can communicate with each other.
Training
In universities there is a specialty of a sign teacher. Colleges and technical schools graduate communication organizers. An sign language interpreter is a person who seeks to learn a specific language for work in a city center for the deaf or in a regional training center. To engage in such activities, higher or secondary special education is required. This is a rather rare profession, therefore, at the centers I run sign language interpreter courses. They last six months.
Centers and universities seek to help graduate professionals. There are more and more people with hearing problems every day and they need the help of specialists. But the profession itself is not in demand, therefore people are hired with the education of a psychologist, philologist, linguist, and teacher. Also, the vocabulary is replenished annually, for this, a new sign language is taught separately. The specialist is constantly improving his skills.
Why do people strive to become sign language interpreters?
As practice shows, sign language interpreters are those who have faced a similar problem. For example, there were deaf and dumb people in their family. In this case, it will be easier for a person to adapt to the profession. Since children whose parents or relatives are hearing impaired are trained from an early age in special courses.
Sign language interpreters are given the opportunity to choose a personal niche. For example: a specialist in medical terms, industry, culture. Dividing into such industries will help to work with specific cases, delving into professionalism.
For mixed specialization, you can also take training - sign language interpreter with translation into foreign languages. Such people are able to combine two professions and the payment for such services is higher. But this work requires additional knowledge and education.
Career
Sign language interpreter is one of the few specialists who does not expect career growth. The profession does not have gradations by rank or category. Although the general development of man continues throughout the entire period of work. Nevertheless, refresher courses are conducted, for example, additional study of foreign languages.
Most of the people in this profession at the initial stage of their careers help patients in government bodies of the city administration. If the sign language interpreter tries, develops and strives to expand the circle of his powers, he has a chance to get a job in a large private organization. For example, on a foreign marine vessel where hearing-impaired people work.
You can also be a field specialist by participating in conferences and contests. In this case, the salary will be an order of magnitude higher.
Free hiring
Sign language interpreter services can be provided as freelance. That is, the specialist takes an hourly fee for working at an event. As practice shows, most language professionals earn in this way.
You can also combine work in a public institution with the sale of your services privately. At official work, a gesture translator gains experience and helps everyone who needs it. And in his free time, he is hired to work hourly at some companies or events.
Features and requirements
The main responsibility of the sign language interpreter is to help everyone who is hard of hearing, so that he can feel comfortable in the company of people. This profession has its own requirements. For example, these: be able to be a good psychologist and find contact with each of those who apply, be open and friendly, strive to provide assistance, and not fulfill your duty for the sake of wages. Clients often cannot reveal themselves to strangers.
External signatures are also required for a sign language interpreter working in a specialized center. Dress code must be observed: the suit is preferably dark in color, there should be no bright colors. Also, too many additional accessories are not allowed. This is because the appearance should not interfere with the perception of gestures and figures from the fingers.
The second and no less important requirement is the lack of bright and interfering details in the image. It is forbidden to catchy manicure, long nails, there should be no gold and silver on the hands. It is necessary to dress in such a way as not to distract clients from the essence of the translation. Even hair color can affect performance.
Also, the specialist controls his movements. Specialized courses teach primarily plastic and correctness in the bends of the hands. Then facial expressions are developed, since lips are used in addition to fingers. The pronunciation should be clear, intelligible, understandable. You need to articulate correctly, each phrase and letter should be clearly read.
Specialist salary
In the public service, the sign language interpreter, whose training is also paid, earns a fixed rate. But this amount most often does not exceed 15 thousand rubles; premiums are not taken into account. Private legal entities offering jobs to such professionals pay for labor in the amount of 20-25 thousand rubles.
Freelancers earn the most, they independently find orders and offer their prices per hour of work. Statistics note that earnings exceed 35 thousand rubles, while many people officially additionally work for the state. service.
Official language
In Russia, five years ago, sign language received the official status of the state. Therefore, a sign language interpreter is a specialist who receives a diploma of education in the country's universities. Classes are now held immediately by two teachers: the deaf and hearing. The course includes grammar studies.
In our country, there are not enough professionals in this area due to the low level of wages. At the same time, people who have become sign language interpreters by vocation do not abandon their profession in the future.
Sign language is used in various fields. Including the sounding of fairy tales, fiction, there are also films with sign language translation. More and more often there are performances in which many actors are hard of hearing. They play roles for the same people or for university students.
According to official figures, there are more than 15 million deaf and patients with hearing problems in the world. And many of them need a sign language translator. After all, they cannot independently apply, for example, to a court of law, to some state institution, to get a job and even pay utility bills. You can find an interpreter on specialized sites where vacancies and resumes are published. As well as on freelance exchanges or in state centers for helping people with hearing problems.