How to Translate English into American Sign Language

Learning how to translate English into ASL requires fluency in both languages.

American Sign Language (ASL) is just that - a language. It is a complete, complex language with its own rules for syntax and sentence structure. American Sign Language relies on hand signals, movements and facial expressions to communicate and is widely used among deaf North American residents. The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders reported on its website that ASL is the fourth most commonly used language in America. The best rule to follow when trying to translate English into ASL is to gain fluency in both languages and keep in mind that you are translating from one language to another.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Gain fluency in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). Take classes and practice signing until you can think in ASL. Observe ASL interpreters and talk to them about how they gained the skill necessary to translate fast-speaking English presenters and plays into ASL.

2. Expect fluency in ASL to take many hours of practice and repetition if it is not your first language. Don't attempt to translate English into ASL word for word. Follow the structure of American Sign Language, understanding that English grammar and sentence structure rules do not apply.

3. Practice translating basic English sentences like "My orange cat is sitting near the window" into American Sign Language by deciding what the emphasis is on in the sentence. Order the ASL sentence according to which subject is most important; sign "my" "orange" "cat" "window" if the emphasis in on who the cat belongs to. Sign "orange" "cat" "mine" "window" if the emphasis is on the color of the cat because there are multiple cats near the window. Sign "window" "orange" "cat" "mine" to emphasize the location of the cat.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand that American Sign Language is a visual, rather than written, language which makes it entirely different from English. Keep this in mind when translating to avoid error and frustration.

References

• Lifeprint: Teaching ASL - Template
• Lifeprint: Teaching ASL - Billingual Bicultural Approach
• NIDCD: American Sign Language

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Lifeprint: ASLU
• Apples 4 the Teacher: American Sign Language Translator - Alphabet Translation
• ASDC: Home