7. CREATING IN-HOUSE TRANSCRIPTS FROM SIGN LANGUAGE VIDEO-RECORDINGS

Why transcribe sign language video recordings?

The Commission rules concerning non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the Commission's programs and activities⁸² state that complaints may be submitted in "audio, braille, electronic, and/or video format."⁸³ For submissions that take the form of American Sign Language recorded in video format, a translation and transcription into written English is necessary to allow access for people who do not understand American Sign Language.

Who coordinates the translation / transcription process?

The Section 504 Officer⁸⁴ is the contact person and coordinator for sign language translation / transcription.

What visual presentations will be accepted for translation?

American Sign Language (ASL) and its cognates will be accepted for translation.⁸⁵ The Commission will not attempt to transcribe foreign sign languages, International Sign, and other visual, gestural modes of presentation.

Who should create the transcripts?

Translation of ASL to English should be handled by qualified individuals, preferably fully certified sign language interpreters.⁸⁶ When possible, consultation with qualified Deaf sign language users is highly desirable.

Transcription process

• Note the date you receive the video recording.
  There are often deadlines for submission of comments, complaints, or information; therefore, the actual submittal date can be crucial. If you are the first point of contact rather than the office that is the official point of receipt, make sure you inform the proper office that you have received information in audio format that must be transcribed for the record. Also make sure that you have the full name, address, telephone number (or other contact information) for the submitter.

• Find out if there are specific timelines/deadlines that affect the submission in question.
  If so, make every effort to complete the transcript as quickly as possible so that the entire process will not be unduly delayed. Make sure that the administrator of the procedure in question is aware of your role in the process and is aware that some flexibility in timing may be necessary.

• Create at least 2 backup copies of the submission in its original format. Contact the Audio Visual Center to schedule this service. Copies are run in "real time" so allow ample time for this process.

• Preserve the original as the master.
  During the transcription process, retain the original submission as the master since making copies of copies produces poorer and poorer results. Use a copy as your working document.

  Assure that one copy is filed with the appropriate office for the record while you are working on the translation. Always retain the original submission as the master since making copies of copies produces poorer and poorer results. Use a copy as your working document.

Translation process

• Strike as much balance as possible between:

  • Being accurate and complete

    • Remember that this is a transcript.

    • Include false starts if signs are actually formed. Pauses or handshapes that begin but never finish need not be recorded.

    • Ellipses (…) can be used to indicate abrupt changes and pauses like those in false starts.

    and

  • Trying to convey the message as the person who is deaf intends it without undue embellishment.
    If there is an obvious slip on the part of the speaker, a word mis-spoken, left out, etc., an editorial comment in brackets may be used.
    For example: My reason for coming to the [Federal] Communications Commission is to let you know about my experiences with TRS.

• Use judgment when dealing with fingerspelling
  Fingerspelling that is incidentally incorrect [equivalent to typos] need not be noted, but fingerspelling that is intentionally presented but does not clearly match the context of the statement should be noted. Possible interpretations should be noted in [brackets]. If fingerspelling is completely unreadable, note in the document, [unintelligible].

• Try to match register and language level as much as possible while still retaining meaning.

  EXAMPLE:

  • RECENT. FCC GROUP CHANGE. SWITCH-SWITCH-SWITCH. OFFICE MOVE 4th FLOOR ME.

  Possible renderings:

  • Recently, the FCC's organizational structure was revamped. One of the many changes included the relocation of my office to the 4th floor.

  • With the recent change in FCC structure, my office moved to the 4th floor.

  • FCC just reorganized. My office is now on the 4th floor.

  • FCC's changed a lot. I'm on the 4th floor now.

• Note unrecognizable signs that interrupt the flow of discourse.
  Use the notation, [unknown sign], in the document to clearly differentiate it from the actual text. If signs are recognizable, but meaning is not discernable, gloss as much of the comment as possible enclosing the glosses in {curly braces}. At the beginning of the transcript include a note explaining the use of [braces] and {curly braces} as well as any other conventions employed in the document.

Translation review

Whenever possible, the completed translation should be reviewed by another qualified person to assure accuracy and completeness.

Translation format

• The completed document should be in MS Word using a font that is generally acceptable to the Commission.

• The translator's name, the reviewer's name, and the date of completion should be noted on the transcript.

Final disposition

When the completed document is ready for filing, submit the translation (with the number of copies required) along with the original video recording to the appropriate office.