Need to Have Text Translated in Sign Language? Here’s How It Works

If you need to make your website or materials accessible in sign language, chances are you’re looking for sign language translation services.

Making your content accessible in sign language comes with several benefits, including:

• Staying compliant with federal accessibility regulations, such as the Canada Accessible Act
• Ensuring equal access to your programs and services
• Gaining social acceptance from the Deaf community
• Promoting accessibility and inclusion within your organization
• And more.

For someone who doesn’t regularly manage these types of projects, the process can seem complex at first, from planning through to video uploads, there’s a lot to consider.

Some key challenges include assessing service quality, managing tight deadlines, staying within budget, and maintaining document confidentiality. Before making such an investment, you’ll need to consider several important questions. Let’s start with some fundamental ones.

Key Questions Before Requesting Translation Services

1. What are the working languages?

Do you need to translate text from French to LSQ only, or does your project include English and ASL as well? While this information forms the foundation of any translation request, remember that we also offer other services, such as LSQ-to-French transcriptions.

By the way, make sure we’re talking about the same thing, i.e., translation services, not interpreting services! If you’re not sure about the difference between the two, check out our blog, which covers the essentials.

2. Why do I need this translation?

Text translation may be needed for various reasons, such as regulatory compliance or making content accessible to the Deaf community. These requirements influence how the translation is handled, including decisions about hosting, translation style, and whether to use in-house or studio recording.

3. Who is my target audience?

Is your target audience made up of clients, patients, people with functional literacy challenges, or others? Understanding your audience is crucial since it will help determine the most appropriate translation approach and ensure you get the best value for your investment.

4. Should the translation be adapted for the target audience or remain faithful to the source text?

While a word-for-word translation may be technically accurate, it might not effectively communicate the message to the target audience.

What would be the point in investing in translation if we don’t understand our audience and adapt the message for them? Without proper adaptation, the target audience may miss the intended meaning.

Some situations call for translations that closely follow the source text, such as legal, medical, or scientific documents. In other cases, like advertising content, social media, or training materials, an adapted translation often works better.

5. Which type of translation do I need?

There are two main types of translation: homemade and studio-based. These options have different costs and timelines. Understanding which type you need will help you plan your budget effectively.

6. Who will take care of what?

Some clients prefer us to handle only the translation while they manage other aspects themselves, such as editing, and that works perfectly fine!

The process involves several key steps:

• Final text validation based on target audience
• Translation into sign language
• Quality control
• Editing

It’s essential to identify what you want to delegate upfront to streamline project coordination and ensure a smooth production process.

7. What format do I want for the videos?

Understanding how these videos will be distributed helps us deliver them in formats that are compatible with their intended platforms. For instance, Facebook reels require vertical orientation while YouTube videos are horizontal. The possibilities for video format customization are endless!

8. When do I need it by?

This is a critical question for any project, and translation services are no exception. Delivery timelines depend on several key factors, including:

• Text length
  • Did you know that a professional sign language translator typically translates between 2,000 and 3,000 words per day, depending on the text’s complexity?
• Content complexity
  • A general text typically translates more quickly than legal or technical content, which demands extensive research.
• Source and target language
  • French and English are spoken and written languages, whereas LSQ and ASL are three-dimensional languages with distinct grammatical structures. As a result, translating between these languages typically takes longer than translating between French and English.
• Type of text adaptation
  • A straightforward translation that remains faithful to the original text is generally quicker than an adapted translation, which requires additional time to interpret nuances such as tone and intent.
• Level of outsourcing
  • Are you looking for a full-service solution or simply a translation? The timeline will vary depending on the scope of services you need.
• Video formats
  • The number of video formats required can also influence the turnaround time.

Ultimately, these questions form the foundation of any translation request. By answering them, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of your translation needs in relation to your available resources.

I have the answers to the questions, and I’m ready to request translation services

Once you have the answers to your questions, you can email us at tra@eversa.co or fill out the online form to request a quote.