Converting a book from ASL into English
A square with rust bars on top and bottom shows on the left in a brown block, in white text, “Converting a book from ASL into English.” On the right is a picture of a black individual's hands holding a pencil atop a clipboard with blank white paper and a white person signing/gesturing, as if mid-conversation. At bottom right is a white square with the Savory Words logo.
For people whose first language is ASL, it oftentimes is easier to express themselves in ASL rather than writing in English. But how can you author a book if you’re signing in ASL? The answer isn’t as complicated as one might think.
To start sharing stories in ASL for translation into English, your first step is to plan. Create a plan for what you plan to talk about, where your story should appear in your book, and so forth. This will help your translator in determining how to translate your words.
Be sure to sign clearly and naturally on camera. Many people find it awkward and inauthentic to sign on camera, so it may help to bring in someone to sit with you and ask you questions as you share stories. Don’t sign in an artificial style; sign as you always sign, and allow the translator to do the rest.
Also check that your videos can be easily uploaded to a site like Dropbox or YouTube so that the translator can view the videos, even download them, and keep them confidential. Keep in mind that translating ASL into English usually takes at least double the time it takes to sign. That is, if you sign for one hour, it may take up to three hours to translate into English, edit, and proofread.
Finally, find a translator who is a native, expert signer/writer. At TSW, our sister company, all of our translators are certified deaf interpreters who have equal fluency in both ASL and English; contact us today to learn about our top-quality translation services.
Originally published February 2021.Video description: Savory Words owner Trudy Suggs sits in front of a beige wall that shows the Savory Words sign. Behind her is a simple wood-and-metal desk, with Savory Words books held together by typewriter-design bookends, and a lamp. Trudy is wearing a dark orange printed shirt with a dark blue cardigan over; she has on dangly gold earrings.
Image description: A square with rust bars on top and bottom shows on the left in a brown block, in white text, “Converting a book from ASL into English.” On the right is a picture of a black individual's hands holding a pencil atop a clipboard with blank white paper and a white person signing/gesturing, as if mid-conversation. At bottom right is a white square with the Savory Words logo.
