Interpreting from American Sign Language (ASL) to spoken English offers the unique challenge of selecting the most appropriate word or phrase to be voiced. While word choice is generally objective, unless the signer specifies a unique word(s), Interpreters need to consider a number of factors when choosing spoken words or phrases.

Context, setting, affect, specialized/technical vocabulary, audience, educational background, demeanor, linguistic register, status/title, nature of event, as well as a host of other elements, must be considered during this process.

Interpreters must work at the holistic level, rather than the lexical level, to most accurately convey the signer’s meaning!

One pitfall that American Sign Language interpreters must strive to avoid is the overuse of GLOSS words, a specific English word “label” used to represent a specific sign. Researching and practicing the use of synonym words and phrases for these GLOSS words can help interpreters be prepared to choose the most appropriate word(s) to voice.

Examples of commonly overused ASL GLOSS words:

• Chat (verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Chatter, Conversation, Gab, Gossip, Prattle, Spill the tea

• Cherish (verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Adore, Appreciate, Hold dear, Revere, Treasure, Worship

• Cold (adjective)

Alternative English voicing options: Bitter, Brisk, Chilled, Chilly, Cool, Crisp, Freezing, Frigid, Frozen, Icy

• Curious (adjective)

Alternative English voicing options: Inquisitive, Interested, Investigative, Nosy, Wondering

• Help (verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Assist, Advise, Aid, Benefit, Support, Service

• Home (noun)

Alternative English voicing options: Accommodations, Abode, Domicile, Dwelling, Habitat, Place of residence, Quarters, Residence

• Hungry (verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Craving, Famished, Ravenous, Starved, Starving, Voracious

• Love (verb, noun, adjective)

Alternative English voicing options: Adoration, Affection, Crush, Enamored, Enchanted, Flame, Fondness, Infatuation, Tenderness, Passion

• Passion (noun)

Alternative English voicing options: Devotion, Excitement, Ecstasy, Fervor, Fire, Heat, Intensity, Joy, Zeal, Zest

• Run (verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Dart, Dash, Gallop, Jog, Race, Rush, Scamper, Sprint, Trot

• Sick (adjective)

Alternative English voicing options: Ailing, Debilitated, Frail, Ill, Indisposed, Not feeling well, Run down, Under the weather

• Sympathy (noun)

Alternative English voicing options: Commiseration, Compassion, Pity, Understanding, Unity

• Tired (adjective)

Alternative English voicing options: Beat, Burned-out, Drained, Drowsy, Exhausted, Fatigued, Overworked, Pooped, Spent, Tuckered, Weary

• Try (verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Aspire, Attempt, Go for it, Strive, Struggle, Take a shot, Tackle, Wrangle

• Valuable (adjective)

Alternative English voicing options: Beneficial, Dear, Invaluable, Priceless, Treasured, Very important, Worthy

• Work (noun, verb)

Alternative English voicing options: Assignment, Commission, Daily grind, Endeavor, Function, Job, Stint, Toil, Undertaking

While interpreting from ASL to English, always remember to be creative and judicious with word choice!

Hope you have enjoyed the contents of this blog!

If you are an interpreter in the Southeast Florida area, interested in freelance work and have availability days, nights, or weekends, we have a variety of assignments throughout the community (medical appointments, evening/overnight hospital shifts, day/evening college classes, school districts, legal, etc.). Please visit our website and submit our New Interpreter Questionnaire:

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