Professional BSL
interpreters across the UK
British Sign Language
With more than 25 years of experience providing interpreting services, British Sign Language remains at the heart of what we do.
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Our dedicated Deaf Services team is managed in-house by experienced BSL professionals, giving our clients access to specialist knowledge rather than a general language-booking service.
Our Head of Deaf Services is a Level 6 BSL interpreter, providing senior professional oversight of our BSL provision. In addition, two other members of our Deaf Services team are Deaf and use British Sign Language themselves. Whether you require a face-to-face BSL interpreter, a video BSL interpreter, support for an event or specialist Deaf communication support, our qualified team can help.
Whether you require a face-to-face BSL interpreter, a video BSL interpreter, support for an event or specialist Deaf communication support, our qualified team can help.
We specialise in short notice/emergency situations.
We also provide International Sign Language, Irish Sign Language and Romanian Sign Language.
BSL interpreting built around the Deaf community
British Sign Language is a complete visual language with its own grammar and linguistic structure. Effective BSL interpreting therefore requires considerably more than simply translating individual English words into signs.
A professional BSL/ English interpreter facilitates communication between Deaf BSL users and hearing people while preserving the meaning, tone, intent and context of the conversation.
At Silent Sounds, BSL is not an additional service bolted onto a spoken-language interpreting operation.
It is a specialist area of our business.
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Our Deaf Services team is led by a Level 6 BSL interpreter, while two other members of the team are Deaf BSL users. This combination of professional interpreting expertise and lived experience helps inform the way we manage, advise on and deliver BSL services.
It also means that discussions around accessibility, communication preferences and Deaf cultural considerations are informed by people who understand BSL directly.
This is particularly important because not every Deaf or hard-of-hearing person communicates in the same way, and a standard BSL interpreter is not always the most appropriate solution.
Our team can help identify whether a requirement is best supported through:
• BSL/ English interpreting
• Video BSL interpreting
• Deaf Relay interpreting
• Deafblind communication support
• Lipspeaking
• International Sign
• Signed video content
Rather than simply filling a booking, we aim to help clients arrange the right communication support for the individual.
What is British Sign Language (BSL)?
British Sign Language (BSL) is a complete visual language used by around 151,000 people across the UK, including approximately 87,000 Deaf people.
BSL is not simply a signed version of spoken English. It has its own vocabulary, grammatical structure and syntax, with hand shapes, movements, facial expressions and body language working together to communicate meaning.
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British Sign Language was formally recognised as a language in its own right by the UK Government in 2003 and received further statutory recognition through the British Sign Language Act 2022, which legally recognises BSL as a language of England, Scotland and Wales.
For many Deaf BSL users, access to an appropriately qualified professional interpreter is essential to achieving clear, accurate and equitable communication.
More than an interpreter booking service
Effective Deaf communication starts with understanding the individual.
A request for “a BSL interpreter” may sometimes require further consideration. The Deaf person may use BSL as their first language, may have additional communication needs, may benefit from Deaf Relay support, or may have a preference for another form of communication.
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Because our in-house team includes a Level 6 BSL interpreter and Deaf BSL users, we are well placed to discuss these requirements with clients and help identify the most appropriate form of support.
This specialist knowledge is particularly valuable for organisations that do not routinely arrange Deaf communication services and need guidance before making a booking.
If you are unsure what communication support is required, contact our Deaf Services team and we can help you assess the requirement.
Why choose Silent Sounds for BSL interpreting?
Specialist BSL leadership
Our Deaf Services function is led by a Level 6 BSL interpreter, giving Silent Sounds specialist professional expertise at management level.
This supports interpreter selection, service design, client guidance and the ongoing development of our BSL provision.
Deaf and BSL representation within our team
Two additional members of our Deaf Services team are Deaf and use BSL.
Their direct experience of British Sign Language and Deaf communication contributes to the way our services are developed and delivered and gives our clients access to a team that understands accessibility from both professional and lived perspectives.
BSL is a core service, not an add-on
Silent Sounds began as a specialist British Sign Language provider and BSL remains a core part of our business.
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Our Deaf Services team operates as a dedicated specialist function rather than BSL being handled solely through a general spoken-language booking team.
Professional interpreter matching
Our team considers the specific nature of each assignment, including its setting, complexity, duration and communication requirements.
Where appropriate, factors considered may include:
professional registration
BSL qualification level
sector experience
safeguarding requirements
healthcare or mental health experience
legal experience
subject-specific terminology
Deaf Relay requirements
individual communication preferences
UK-wide face-to-face and video BSL support
Silent Sounds provides British Sign Language interpreting throughout the UK, including both face-to-face and remote video provision.
We support healthcare, local government, education, employers, events, legal and professional environments.
British Sign Language expertise
Our dedicated Deaf Services team brings together professional expertise and lived experience. Our Head of Deaf Services is a Level 6 BSL interpreter, while two other members of the team are Deaf and use British Sign Language themselves.
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This gives our team a first-hand understanding of the practical, cultural and linguistic considerations involved in communicating effectively with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. It also means our approach to BSL interpreting is informed by people who understand the language, the Deaf community and the accessibility challenges BSL users can encounter.
Rather than simply filling a booking, we can help clients understand the communication requirement and identify the most appropriate professional or service for each individual and assignment.
Deaf Awareness and BSL training for clients
Silent Sounds also provides Deaf Awareness and basic British Sign Language (BSL) training for organisations that want to improve accessibility, communication and confidence when supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Training can be tailored to different teams and working environments and can cover areas such as Deaf awareness, Deaf culture, communicating effectively with Deaf BSL users, working appropriately with BSL interpreters, common accessibility barriers and practical ways to make services more inclusive.
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We can also incorporate introductory British Sign Language awareness, helping staff understand how BSL is used, the importance of visual communication and how to engage more confidently and respectfully with Deaf BSL users.
Sessions can be delivered to frontline staff, managers, customer service teams, healthcare professionals and other employees who regularly interact with Deaf people.
Where required, Deaf Awareness and BSL training can be adapted around the specific needs of your organisation, sector or service.
Ask us about Deaf Awareness and BSL Training for your team.
Supporting the Deaf community
Our work with British Sign Language and Deaf communication extends beyond individual interpreting assignments.
Silent Sounds supports initiatives, organisations and community activity that help improve accessibility, communication and inclusion for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
This includes supporting charitable and community-led work, promoting better understanding of BSL and Deaf culture, and helping organisations improve access to information and services for Deaf BSL users.
We believe that strong BSL provision should be informed by the people and communities it serves. That principle is reflected in our in-house Deaf Services team, our work with professional BSL interpreters and our wider involvement in supporting Deaf accessibility.
Learn more about Silent Sounds, our community involvement and the organisations we support.
Contact us
Telephone
01494 796030
Text/ FaceTime
07380599832
Out of hours (Deaf Services only)
Address
9-10 Manor Courtyard
Hughenden Avenue
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP13 5RE