When you meet a deaf person without knowing sign language, how do you ensure effective communication? Typically, a hearing sign language interpreter translates spoken language into sign language and vice versa. In most situations, you would hire such an interpreter to facilitate the conversation. However, in some situations, an additional communication link is necessary—a DI. This may be needed when the deaf individual comes from a different sign language background, such as refugees or migrants; has had limited access to formal education or language development; or communicates in a highly visual, non-standard, or gestural way that may be difficult for hearing interpreters to understand or accurately render.
A deaf interpreter (DI) is a professional who is deaf and works to mediate communication between different sign languages, linguistic nuances, or from a sign language to a visual communication form.

The growing need for deaf interpreters

With an increasing demand for deaf interpreters (DIs) in public institutions such as hospitals, courts, and social services, community (deaf) interpreters have become a crucial tool in ensuring equal access to information and rights. This means that DIs are not only required in media and public events such as conferences and general assemblies but also in social and legal settings where precise communication is vital. However, there is a significant discrepancy between supply and demand, often due to financial barriers and a lack of recognition of the need.
According to a small survey we conducted with 50 DIs out of around 350 from all over Europe, 62.2% work within community interpreting, highlighting the strong demand in this field despite ongoing financial challenges.
Historically, DIs have existed for many years, but the profession has only gained official recognition in recent decades. Government agencies now hire DIs in various settings, as we see the federal government in Germany hires a DI to interpret crucial information, for example press conferences. However, there is still no formal recognition or legal requirement ensuring the presence of DIs, leaving many deaf individuals in a vulnerable position.
According to the NCIEC (National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers) in the USA, DIs possess unique linguistic and cultural insights that often make their interpretations more precise and natural for deaf users. Research shows that the combination of a deaf and a hearing interpreter often leads to a higher degree of comprehension and accuracy.

Definition and evolution of deaf interpreters

DIs differ from traditional sign language interpreting, where a hearing interpreter translates between spoken and signed languages. A DI often mediates between different sign languages or adapts sign language to a user’s specific linguistic level. DIs often have a deeper understanding of linguistic nuances as they are native sign language users.
Akimov Mikhail, a Russian DI based in Italy, experienced a surge in demand for deaf interpreting during the Ukraine war, especially among newly arrived refugees:
“Many deaf Ukrainians came to Italy. I could interpret for them because Russian and Ukrainian sign languages are nearly identical. A hearing interpreter with only Italian sign language would not have been able to facilitate effective communication.”
According to a study by DIs in Europe (2016), published by DDL (Danske Døves Landsforbund), interpreting among deaf individuals has long been an informal practice, with deaf individuals helping each other communicate in schools, workplaces, and social settings. Only in recent years has it evolved into a recognized profession with official certifications in several countries.

Variations in the field of deaf interpreters across Europe

The structure of deaf interpreting varies significantly across Europe. According to DIs in Europe (2016), published by DDL (Danish NAD), some countries have established formal training programs, while others still regard the work of DIs as an informal support function. This impacts the development and funding of community interpreting. In some countries, such as Germany and the United Kingdom, DIs are relatively widespread, whereas in others, recognition and funding are still lacking.
A Swedish DI Jonas Brännvall shares his experience:
“I had a personal encounter with a deaf client who initially refused my interpretation. My hearing interpreter colleague encouraged them to give it a chance, as direct communication was not working. By the end of the assignment, the deaf client said the experience had been fantastic and much better than expected.”

Responsibilities and challenges

DIs have the responsibility to ensure seamless communication, which involves not only linguistic accuracy but also cultural and social understanding. They often collaborate with hearing interpreters to create the most effective communication bridge.
Working as a DI can be emotionally demanding. Mikhail Akimov shares:
“At first, it was challenging to interpret Ukrainian refugees as Russian. Some deaf individuals reacted negatively at first but became more comfortable after a conversation. I always work neutrally and professionally, but sometimes I need to take a break to process emotions when interpreting war stories.”
Jonas Brännvall adds:
“It can be difficult when you share the same frustrations as the deaf client, but the hearing recipient lacks the same cultural knowledge of the deaf community.”

Why are deaf interpreters essential?

According to DIs in Europe (2016), published by DDL (Danish NAD), an analysis of deaf interpreting across Europe highlights significant disparities in the number of DIs (DIs) per 1,000 deaf sign language users. Denmark ranks among the highest with 3 DIs per 1,000 users. In comparison, Sweden and Finland have 1.1, while Norway has 2. Slovenia has the highest ratio, with 5.7 DIs per 1,000, followed by Iceland (4).
Other countries fall lower on the scale; Switzerland has 1.5, Croatia 1.7, and the Czech Republic and Greece 1.0. At the bottom of the list, Portugal and Italy have 0.1 DIs per 1,000 and Russia 0.03.
In terms of total numbers, Denmark has approximately 15 DIs, compared to 45 in France, 30 in Germany, and 20 in the UK. Countries such as Belgium (Flanders), the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Poland, and Portugal each have about 10 DIs. Meanwhile, Austria, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Serbia, and Slovenia only have 1–5 DIs, illustrating major discrepancies in access to DIs across Europe.
It has now been nearly a decade since these figures were collected, and new data is needed. For example, Germany has now increased to 40 DIs. However, these differences highlight how DIs are structured differently across countries, impacting access to interpreting services and the inclusion of deaf individuals in society.
Using DIs is crucial for full societal inclusion. Many deaf individuals from different linguistic backgrounds experience barriers in accessing healthcare and the legal system if they do not have an interpreter who understands their linguistic and cultural background.
A 2024 report by efsli (European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters) indicates a continued demand for more DIs in community settings, especially in countries with large numbers of deaf migrants and refugees. Financial constraints also remain a barrier for many deaf individuals seeking access to deaf interpreting. Since hiring hearing interpreters already incurs a cost, there is often resistance to allocating additional resources for DIs, even when they are essential for accurate communication.
Jonas Brännvall describes the issue:
“In Sweden, there are more DIs than demand, likely due to a lack of awareness among authorities. Many trained DIs have to take other jobs because there aren’t enough assignments to sustain a stable income.”
Mikhail Akimov adds:
“In Italy, the deaf community tends to trust hearing individuals more than DIs. There is a great need for awareness about why DIs are necessary.”
Carolyn Denmark, a British DI, observes:
“Just four to five years ago, there was a dismissive attitude towards DIs, but this is changing. Many deaf people now realize how much easier it is to understand a DI compared to a hearing interpreter.”

A path forward: Strengthening deaf interpreters

Despite the growing recognition of DIs, there remains a significant gap in research on its effectiveness and the specific dynamics of the interpreting process. There is still limited understanding of the cognitive, linguistic, and cultural factors that differentiate DIs from their hearing counterparts. More research is needed to explore these aspects and provide a stronger foundation for the profession.
Jonas Brännvall underscores this need for further research, stating:
“There is still so much we do not fully understand about the precise differences between a hearing interpreter and a DI. What exactly happens in the interpretation process? More research is needed to explore these questions.”
To secure a stronger future for community interpreting, a combination of increased awareness, political commitment, and structural recognition of DIs’ vital role is required. More countries should implement clear guidelines for the use of DIs in public institutions, as seen in Ireland’s healthcare sector, where both deaf and hearing interpreters are mandated for certain assignments.
Only with improved awareness and policy changes can a stable workforce of DIs be ensured, ultimately providing better access and inclusion for the deaf community.

 

Olivia Røntved Egeberg, Teckenbro

Kenny Åkesson, Teckenbro

Benedikt Sequeira Gerardo, manua

Jozef Vahovský, Deafstudio