South African Sign Language (SASL)
A visual-spatial language used by the Deaf community in South Africa to communicate, express thoughts, and engage in social interactions.
- One of the 12 official South African languages.
- South Africa’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing community is deeply rooted within the nation’s linguistic landscape.
- Statistics regarding the number of SASL users vary between credible sources, but the 2022 South African National Census records it as the language most spoken in 0.02% of South African households.
SASL is a sign language used by the Deaf community in South Africa and was officially recognised as the country’s 12th official language in 2023. It is a fully developed visual language with its own unique grammar, structure, and cultural expressions. While there are some regional variations in SASL, it is distinct from spoken languages. SASL plays a crucial role in education, accessibility, and advocacy for Deaf rights. Efforts continue to expand its use in schools, government services, and media to promote inclusivity and equal communication opportunities.
Language Services:
- Sign Language Interpreting: Interpreting in specialised languages such as SASL, other country-specific sign languages used across the African continent, as well as International Sign (IS), addresses the diverse communication needs of the Deaf and hard of hearing.
- Sign Language Video Localisation: SASL video localisation is the process of adapting video content to make it accessible for SASL users by translating spoken language into signed language, ensuring cultural and contextual relevance. This involves creating signed versions of video content, often including captions or on-screen interpreters, to facilitate better communication and understanding.
Speciality Fields:
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- Medical
- NGOs and community organisations
- Legal
- Education
- Business and finance
- Advertising and marketing
<li”>Entertainment
Did you know?
- South Africa’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing community primarily represents Deaf people and people with hearing loss, as well as their families, SASL interpreters, and other individuals who identify with Deaf culture.
- SASL became the 12th official language of South Africa on 19 July 2023, making it the first sign language in Africa to gain official status at a national level.
- South Africa has one of the highest numbers of Deaf schools in Africa, with over 40 schools across the country that use SASL as the primary language of instruction.
- Unlike spoken languages, SASL relies on a combination of hand movements, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning, and even the way eyebrows are raised or lowered can change the meaning of a sentence.
- SASL is not just a direct translation of English or any other South African spoken language – it has its own unique grammar, structure, and vocabulary, making it an established language in its own right.
- In SASL, the sign for a person’s name is often based on something distinctive about them, such as a physical feature, personality trait, or hobby, rather than just fingerspelling their name.
Translation & Proofreading
Interpreting & Sign Language
Voice-overs & Voice Direction
Certified/Sworn Translation
Transcription
Subtitles /
Dubbing
Transcreation
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