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A sign language interpreter is a person who performs real-time translation between a signed language and a spoken language, or between two different signed languages. Most sign language interpreters are skilled in interpretation between a single signed language and a single spoken language used in a particular geographic area (e.g. American Sign Language and spoken American English, or French Sign Language and spoken French), but trilingual and multilingual sign language interpreters exist as well. An interpreter may also possess other specialized skills, such as tactile interpreting for people who are Deafblind, oral transliterating for people who lip-read instead of sign, or fluency in one or more forms of manually coded language. Interpreters work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, offices, and courtrooms. In all cases, the task of a sign language interpreter is to facilitate communication between people who do not share a signed language, and to convey all auditory and signed information so that hearing and deaf individuals may fully interact.

Credentialing
Standards for credentialing sign language interpreters vary widely from place to place. Some countries have national professional organizations or state entities which accredit interpreters, while other countries do not. In the US, general standards for sign language interpreters currently exist in the form of certification tests offered jointly by the National Association of the Deaf and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Specific tests also exist to assess skills for interpreting in legal, medical, and educational settings. Many US states offer their own performance assessments as well. However, not all states have laws specifying that sign language interpreters be credentialed in order to accept interpreting work, and the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990 (ADA) mandates only that a person working as a sign language interpreter be “qualified,” and does not require such a person to hold any official credentials.

Training for Sign Language Interpreters
As with spoken language interpreters, sign language interpreters must ideally possess native or near-native fluency in all of the languages they use in their work. Sign language interpreters must also possess specialized skills and knowledge specific to working with deaf clients, including knowledge of the cultural practices of the Hearing and Deaf communities they serve and the specific issues that regularly arise in interactions between members of these cultures.

The World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) maintains a list of sign language interpreter training programs in countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and the United States.

In the US, a growing number of colleges and universities offer specialized degrees in sign language interpreting. According to CollegeBoard.com, 127 colleges and universities in the United States currently offer degree programs in sign language interpretation. Most of these programs are two-year associate's degree programs, but there are some four- and five-year bachelor's programs as well. The only university to offer a graduate degree in ASL interpreting is Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.

Professional Standards
Various standards exist which govern sign language interpreters and the individuals and entities that use their services. Some countries have legislation providing official recognition of national sign languages and guaranteeing Deaf persons the right to communication access in their own language, while other countries have no such legislation. (See Legal recognition of sign languages) Professional interpreter organizations, where they exist, also maintain their own standards for interpreter skills and practices. The WASLI website hosts a partial list of codes of ethics from sign language interpreter associations around the world.

Remuneration
Salaries for sign language interpreters vary widely depending on many factors. According to current statistics, sign language interpreters working in the US may earn anywhere between $20,000 and $63,000 per year depending on geographical area, experience, education, credentials, and type of interpreting.