According to the Accessible Canada Act,  the primary languages of Deaf people in Canada are American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). English and French are often second—or even third or fourth languages for Deaf individuals. Written text and video captions are not enough to ensure the Deaf community’s full understanding and inclusion. If you want to make your content accessible to the Deaf community, you need to have it translated into sign language. 

A venn diagram showing the difference between intepreting and translation. The left circle is blue with the text

What's the Difference Between Translation and Interpreting?

Think of it this way: while interpreting happens in real time, translation is meant for finished content. For example, an ASL interpreter would facilitate communication between someone using sign language and someone using spoken language. But if you’re converting finished content like a website, video, or document into sign language, you’d need to translate it.  

How Translation Works

1. Material collection

Send your documents, videos or marketing collateral over to Asign.

2. Translation and production

With our team of Deaf Translators, Message Equivalency Interpreters and Deaf language experts, we’ll translate your materials into ASL or LSQ. We do all production in our professional studios.

3. Post-production and quality assurance

We edit the sign language videos according to your brand guidelines, adding subtitles and voiceovers as requested.

Translation for Your Customers and Employees

Websites
Video Content
Job Postings
Transcripts & Letters
Legal Documents
Surveys & Survey Results
Marketing Collateral
Organizational Policies
E-learning Materials

Providing Translation Services for Organizations like Statistics Canada and Accessibility Standards Canada

Statistics Canada Survey Results:

In this example, we translated the results from Statistics Canada’s Survey on Accessible Print Materials. The translation video includes closed captioning and a voiceover.

Stats Canada: Translated Survey Results

Accessibility Standards Canada Webpage:

In this example, we translated a webpage for Accessibility Standards Canada. As you read the webpage, the equivalent message is being signed in ASL, ensuring equal access for Deaf individuals.

Accessibility Standards Canada: Translated Webpage

Explore How Asign can be Used in Different Sectors

Financial

We make your business our business. With years of experience in the financial sector, Asign is equipped to translate your content so Deaf Canadians can fully understand your products and services. The demand for online financial services continues to rise and clients expect functional and accessible online experiences. 

Learn more about how Asign can be used in the financial sector
Government

Asign provides services for over 150 government organizations at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. Meet accessibility requirements under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and adhere to the Government of Canada’s standards on Web Accessibility. 

Learn more about Asign’s services for the Canadian Government
Transportation

Create barrier-free travel experiences. We offer services for all modes of transportation, including airlines, trains, buses and ferries. Provide Deaf travelers with essential information at every stage of their journey—from check-in desks and ticket counters to security areas and onboard communications.

Learn more about how Asign can be used in the transportation sector.

Meet Our Translators 

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Paul Bourgeois

Paul has been working as a translator for over a decade, starting his professional journey in 2019 with Asign. He has worked on a wide range of projects, from children’s stories to confidential government documents. Reflecting on the importance of translation, Paul shares, “It’s important to have clear facts and information that are accessible to everyone so people can make informed decisions. That’s where I feel my work as an ASL translator makes the biggest impact, and I am proud of that.”

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Vinu Abraham Chetipurackal

Vinu has been working as an ASL translator since November 2021, specializing in projects within Diversity and Accessibility industries. His favourite aspect of translation is the focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Jordan Sangalang

Jordan has been working as an ASL translator since 2012, specializing in various projects including videos, books, documents, and online content. His favorite part of working as a translator is creating content that authentically represents the signing community. “Being a translator is a humbling profession that contributes to a larger purpose by making a meaningful impact while enhancing accessibility and inclusion”. 

Interested in a career at Asign?

Who We Are

Asign specializes in high-quality ASL and LSQ services, ensuring communication without barriers. What sets Asign apart?

Our Deaf heart

We’re passionate about translation and interpreting and have a strong connection to the Deaf community, valuing its language, culture, and diversity.

The quality of our services

We produce HD translation videos using high-quality software and in-house studios, allowing full control over production and ensuring top-tier results.

We understand your business

We work closely with our clients to become subject matter experts on your business, mastering your terminology and producing translated content that meets your specific needs. 

We’re Canadian

We provide translation services in both American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoises (LSQ). Choose from ASL translation services, ASL interpreting services, LSQ translation services, and LSQ interpreting services.

Other Ways We Can Help

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Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) By Appointment

Schedule a virtual sign language interpreter in advance. Best for longer, pre-planned meetings. 

  • Examples: Planned training sessions, regular staff meetings, webinars and other online events
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
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Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) On-Demand

Connect with a virtual sign language interpreter on the spot. VRI On-Demand is ideal for shorter, spontaneous interactions. No appointment needed.   

  • Examples: Impromptu meetings, urgent or time-sensitive situations, unplanned visits from Deaf clients. 
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
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In-Person Interpreting

For in-person meetings and events, it’s best to have an interpreter on-site. With decades of experience in the profession, we know that interpreting isn’t one size fits all. We match our interpreters to fit the unique needs and subject matter of your event.

  • Examples: Press conferences, live events and workshops, in-person town halls.
In-Person Interpreting

Get in touch

Translate your content to connect with the Deaf community in their first language. To accompany our translation services, we also provide closed captioning and voiceovers. 

Ready to make your content accessible for the Deaf community?
 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

My content is in written English—why do I need translation? 

American Sign Language (ASL) is not signed English. It’s a distinct language with its own grammar, syntax, and structure. Similarly, Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) is distinct from French. 

How long does a translation project usually take? 

For content that is less than 10,000 words, we typically tell clients to expect 10 business days.  

Can anyone who uses ASL or LSQ be a translator? 

No, professional translation requires specialized training in both languages and a strong understanding of how to convey meaning. At Asign, all translation projects are handled by our team of experts, including Deaf translators who are native users of ASL and LSQ. Deaf translators provide a sociolinguistic, semantic/linguistic equivalent translation in their signed language. 

Why shouldn’t I use automated translation tools? 

Automated translation tools often miss cultural nuances, facial expressions, and cannot replicate the fluid structure of ASL or LSQ. Human translators are crucial for providing accurate and nuanced translations.  

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