Deaf students achieve the first ever text to BSL translation qualification

The first training and assessment course in the UK specifically for English written text to British Sign Language (BSL) translation has now been completed with 14 Deaf candidates obtaining the Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Translation qualification.

The qualification is essential in the push to establishing quality standards for translation. Professionals who completed the course are able to register with the National Registers for Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) as Registered Sign Language Translators.

This was the first programme in the UK running the new Signature qualification. It was delivered by Action on Hearing Loss, supported by funding from Nominet Trust and in partnership with Signamic. It is designed for students who are fluent in BSL and have a high level of written English. The qualification professionally recognises people translating the written word and preparing and presenting information in BSL to camera, media or translating within the workplace.

The new qualification perfectly complements the new buyer’s guide to British Sign Language translation for the internet. This guide sets out the standards that purchasers of BSL material should expect in areas such as translation, technical quality, and security of content. This guidance will help buyers to identify quality suppliers of BSL translation and give confidence to deaf people that information available in BSL accurately reflects the English content.

Annika Small, Chief Executive at Nominet Trust which provided funding for this project said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting this very important cause. As the internet continues to play an increasing role in many areas of our life, it’s clear that this new qualification will go a long way in working to professionalise the translation industry and improve accessibility for deaf people.’

Kath Phipps, Communication and Technology Director from Action on Hearing Loss said “This qualification, combined with the Buyers Guide, demonstrates the importance of accessible media and professionalises translation work. We hope it is the start of much more good quality BSL translation across television and the internet”