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2.2.3 German Sign Language translation (DGS)

Most deaf people communicate using the sign language of their country. In Germany we use German Sign Language (DGS). Many profoundly deaf prefer to communicate in their sign language and this is often their first language. So it is essential to provide teaching videos in the appropriate sign language. It is important to note that DGS is absolutely not “signed German”. The grammar of DGS differs in many ways from that of spoken and written German. Manually coded languages (MCL) should not be used for accessible videos. MCLs use gestures to visualise a spoken language such as German and do not follow the grammar of sign languages. MCLs are not a natural language but a communication aid. It is worth considering in advance how you can best reach the students.
There are two different ways of interpreting in DGS: in a translation that is as close as possible to the original, the spoken and signed content are close in time to each other. In the case of a free translation, the length of the signed version is not bound to the spoken version. This has the advantage that the optimal form of presentation in the appropriate sign language can be chosen, free of the restrictions of spoken languages. There are also different methods for realising the video:

  • Production of a separate video where the sign language interpreter takes the position of the teacher in the spoken video.
  • The sign language interpreter is integrated into the original video. In this case, care must be taken when planning to allow sufficient additional space for the interpreter when designing the video’s layout.

On the DaLele4All team we have opted for a free translation into DGS with a separate video (see Diagram 7). This has the following three advantages:

  • The sign language interpreter is presented on a large area of the screen and the signs and facial expressions can be clearly seen.
  • The sign language interpreter, like the speaker in the spoken version, can be positioned next to the slides, so that the content of the slides and the signs can be perceived in parallel. To do this it is necessary for the interpreter to be keyed, i.e. their image is separated out for insertion.
  • The sign language interpreter is not bound by the length of the spoken version and can choose the optimal form of presentation in DGS or the other sign language, free of the restrictions of spoken languages.

The picture shows on the left side the presentation slide of a teaching video and on the right side a sign language interpreter who signs. In the separate DGS video, the sign language interpreter replaces the instructor of the spoken video due to space limitations.
Diagram 7: Separate teaching video in DGS

Since interpreting in DGS was commissioned externally, it was all handled by yomma GmbH, which employs Deaf sign language interpreters. This meant the teaching videos were given high quality signing by Deaf native signers. As explanation see also the statement of the Berufsverband der tauben GebärdensprachdolmetscherInnen e. V. on interpretation and translation in the media. Interpreting by Deaf sign language interpreters calls for the provision of a written script and the presentation slides.

Recording involves the following tasks:
  1. Commissioning work externally (see 2.1.1 Finance) or producing it with a deaf employee
  2. Choice of type of interpretation (as close as possible or free)
  3. Choice of appropriate method (separate video or integration)
  4. Delivery of materials (slides and script)
  5. Video recording in the appropriate sign language
  6. Post-production of video
  7. Test with deaf users

Practical tips

  • Optimal relationship of slide layout and visibility of sign language interpreter: to ensure the best possible clarity of the signed content and the slides, we opted for a newscast-style layout. The slides are positioned on the left and the sign language interpreter on the right hand side. It is important for the slides to be positioned in the background so that the sign language interpreter has flexibility about the amount of space they take up when signing. The arms and hands may pass over the slides depending on the use of the signing space (see Diagram 8).
  • Background colour: to ensure the signing stands out clearly against the background and the overall image is easy on the eyes, we opted for a shade of grey. We have used this background as standard for all the spoken videos as well. Based on the experience we have now gained, in future we would use a slightly darker shade of grey (see also
    Information from Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Taubblinden e.V.    ).

The figure shows a still frame from a sign language video. On the left side is a slide. To the right and spatially in front of the slide, the interpreter is signing, depicted up to his waist. His elbow protrudes over the edge into the slide. The image illustrates the fit between the slide layout and the visibility of the interpreter. For good visibility, it is necessary that the arms or hands can protrude over the slides if necessary.
Diagram 8: The presentation is in the background and the sign language interpreter has flexible use of space for signing.