Translation FAQs

In January 2012, Signamic will be providing the first ever Sign Language Translation qualification training course available to the public after a very successful pilot programme.

We have some more news for you!:

Payment Plans. Signamic now offers Translation students the opportunity to pay for their course in instalments. Please go to the FAQS (below) for more information.
English requirements. Signamic would like to reassure Deaf people who are not confident about their written English, that perfect English grammar is not important. Please go to the FAQS (below) for more information

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

How long is this course?

Part 1 is 2 consecutive days (Thursday and Friday) once a month, over 8 months. For Part 2, this depends when you finish your portfolio and we encourage candidates to complete everything between 6 to 8 months. So the whole Translation qualification programme will take about a year.

Why is the course over Part 1 and Part 2?

This is the same as Signamic Interpreting programmes. Part 1 is where you learn the required translation skills and develop the knowledge to make sure you are ready for Part 2, which is where you work on developing your portfolio and you are assessed for the qualification.

There are many other “Deaf Interpreting” courses out there. How is this one different?

Other organisations have been offering Deaf Interpreting, Relay Interpreting and Media Interpreting courses, but these offer Interpreting or Translating qualifications which are not mapped by the NRCPD. However there is a Signature Sign Language to Sign Language Interpreting qualification offered by other organisations but not by Signamic.

Why are Signamic offering a Payment Plan?

Translation is a very new profession and job opportunities for Deaf translators are growing. But we at Signamic believe that when there are more qualified translators around, job opportunities will increase. So we are supporting Deaf people to become qualified translators for this reason, to help them with the costs while this profession is very new. Please note this payment plan is offered to those who are paying for the course themselves, not their employer.

Our Payment Plans are tailor-made to individual circumstances so if you would like more information, please contact us to arrange a meeting so we can go through your requirements and come up with a solution which we are sure you will like!

How much is this Translation course?

Part 1 is £1,900 plus VAT. Part 2 is £2,100 plus VAT, plus Signature fees.

Will I get a qualification after this course?

When you finish Part 1, you will know a lot more about the qualification and you will have developed many new skills to use in Translation. Your translation skills will be monitored throughout Part 1 and we will let you know if you are ready for Part 2 or not. So when you finish Part 2 successfully you will get a translation qualification, the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Translation.

If I do Part 2 how can I film evidence?

The qualification specification says 50% of all evidence must be actual translation assignments and 50% can be simulated. Signamic will provide filming opportunities to for you to obtain simulated evidence and we will help you with the actual translation assignments.

What are the benefits of this qualification?
Your Translation qualification will be at the same level as that of Sign Language Interpreters. The NRCPD have agreed to include Translators in their register of language professionals as RQSLTs (Register of Qualified Sign Language Translators) which is at the same level as MRSLIs for interpreters. Also you will be eligible for full membership of ASLI (Association of Sign Language Interpreters) and if you decide to become a Full Member of ASLI you will be eligible for many benefits such as Professional Indemnity Insurance once you are qualified. There is also a Student Membership category which is the cheapest one and you can apply for this when you start on Part 1 of our course. When you are armed with this qualificaiton, doors will open for you and you will be able to accept assignments in the following:

Translate at conferences from an autocue
Translate at movies and for theatre
Translate on websites and on television
Translate documents for Deaf [people at Social Services or with advocacy organisations
and many more!

There is a lot of English writing in this course. My English is not very good, can I still do it?

This is a professional qualification. Students are expected to have a professional understanding of English so they can translate what they read. Part 1 of the course will train you on reading English and help you make English easier to read. If you already have been translating for other Deaf people then you should be able to do this course.

If you are worried about your English writing, we want to reassure you that your English will be marked against the Certificate in Proficiency in English (CPE) criteria for a minimum pass, which is:

BAND 3. For a Band 3 to be awarded:

· The candidate’s writing has a satisfactory effect on the target reader

· The content is relevant with some development of the topic.

· Information and ideas are generally organised logically, though cohesive devices may not always be used appropriately.

· A satisfactory range of structures and vocabulary is used, though word choice may lack precision.

· Errors which do occur do not cause difficulty for the reader.

· Register and format are reasonably appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience.

Click here for more information about CPE English.

We will not mark your English grammar if your paper is not hard to read. If you are not confident then you can ask someone to check your English!

Also we recommend you do the CPE English course which Signamic offers. The awarding body for this qualification, Cambridge University ESOL Examinations, have just agreed to exempt Deaf students from the Listening and Speaking parts of the exam, so from now on, Deaf people only need to do the Reading, Writing and Use of English parts of the exam.

My friend did the Translation course with Signamic and Action on Hearing Loss a few months ago. She told me it was very hard work. Will this course be the same?

No. Our course is just over 1 year, Part 1 is from January 2012 to August 2012 and Part 2 is from September 2012 to March 2013. There is no pressure for students to finish their portfolio by March, they can hand it in after this date.

That pilot course was over 6 days for Part 1 and 6 days for Part 2, from July to October 2011. Don’t forget participants who went through that course were already working as translators or had experience of translation work. They were selected by Signamic and Action on Hearing Loss as part of a Nominet-funded programme.

Don't forget, if you would like further information on our Translation courses or about these FAQs, please contact us at enquiries@signamic.co.uk and we will be able to respond quickly.