Download the PDF file here: The 2021 Census of sign language translators & interpreters in the UK RESEARCH REPORT

Project aim and objectives

A census is an 'official' survey of a population, typically commissioned by governments to survey the national population, but have also been used to survey professional populations, such as healthcare workers (Middleton, et al., 2010, 2011; Butler-Henderson, et al., 2017). Thus, this census is a survey of the population of SLTI practitioners in the UK, commissioned by the Association of Sign Language Interpreters UK (ASLI).

The aim of this census is to establish a baseline description of the SLTI workforce. As with all questionnaires, this does require us to create categories that may not fully fit with how someone identifies. The broader objective is to see whether there are differences in education, work and professional development opportunities experienced by those in our profession. As such, the specific objectives of the project are to:

• Describe the demographic profile and intersectional characteristics of deaf and hearing BSL/English interpreters and translators in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
• Map the locations of translators and interpreters throughout the UK.
• Obtain information on the educational qualifications of BSL/English translators and interpreters.
• Obtain information on the settings in which BSL/English translators and interpreters work.

The results of the census provide a more nuanced description of who currently offer their services as a translator or interpreter, their training background, language background, other qualifications and work pattern. As the first snapshot, this census functions as a baseline for future comparison and can be modified and improved through open dialogue with the profession and community groups. The snapshot can help us to identify gaps in representation. Finally, the snapshot can also inform the planning and forecasting of recruitment needs for the workforce and highlight any education and training needs.

See also this link for journal article published following the census, 'Representation and diversity in the sign language translation and interpreting profession in the United Kingdom'

DOI: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27523810221127596