No. Sign Language, like any spoken language has unique grammatical structures and syntax. It has specific idioms and is dynamic and organic like spoken languages. As technology changes and cultural changes occur, like any language, new vocabulary is introduced and Sign Language adjusts.

Also, Sign Languages through out the world are different. For example, British Sign Language uses a two-handed alphabet system, where as American Sign Language uses a one-hand system. Because Signed Languages are naturally occurring languages, they use culturally significant gestures that are relevant to that particular area or culture. More over, Signed Languages also can have regional dialects!

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits the exclusion of people with disabilities from everyday activities, such as buying an item at the store, watching a movie in a theater, enjoying a meal at a local restaurant, exercising at the local health club or having the car serviced at a local garage. To meet the goals of the ADA, the law established requirements for private businesses of all sizes. These requirements first went into effect on January 26, 1992, and continue for both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Go to "US Department of Justice ADA Home Page" and "Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center" for more information about your responsibilities.

Remember: you never USE an interpreter. You WORK WITH an interpreter. A Sign Language interpreter facilitates communication between deaf or hard of hearing persons and hearing persons. This means that an interpreter will "voice" what is being signed, and will "sign" what is being voiced.

Because it is important to remember you are talking to the client who is deaf or hard of hearing, the interpreter will either stand/sit beside the hearing person or slightly behind. Although the person who is deaf or hard of hearing will be watching the interpreter, the hearing person should always respond directly to the deaf or hard of hearing person. It is inappropriate to talk to the interpreter in directives. For example, "Tell him/her..." Simply respond directly to the person who is deaf or hard of hearing. The interpreter will interpret what is being said.

The interpreter is a professional and should be treated as one as well as expected to conduct herself/himself in a professional manner. Therefore, interpreters will not "chime in" or participate in meetings or conversations with personal opinions. However, the interpreter will navigate and negotiate culturally-specific references in order to give clear communication in order to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

A certified interpreter will have either a state specific certification for Sign Language interpreters and/or a national certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), or the American Consortium for Certified Interpreters (ACCI). These organizations have now all joined and are supported by RID solely for certifying interpreters.

Please see http://www.rid.org/expl.html for explanation of the different certificates that can be awarded.

Certification is not licensing. Certification in general means that a person has met the basic professional- level interpreting and transliterating skills. The above link will describe in detail different levels of certification.

Yes! American Sign Language is a different language from English. It is NOT English on the hands. Rather, it is it's own language with it's own grammar and syntax. There are a number in programs in colleges and universities throughout the country which have American Sign Language courses.

Moreover, you can receive private instructions or a basic course for your company to learn basic conversational signs and sentences. You will also learn about aspects of deaf culture that will aid you in working with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Simply click here to request services for learning sign language.

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