Association for Sign Language Interpreters

What is the Association for Sign Language Interpreters?

ASLI is a well known acronym in the sign language interpreting community. ASLI refers to the Association of Sign Language Interpreters and functions as the professional body for sign language interpreters across the UK.

When looking for a British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter, the level of ASLI membership of the interpreter identifies the degree to which they are professionally qualified.

Membership to ASLI is not just limited to professional BSL Interpreters; individuals who have a vested interest in the success and effective running of ASLI are also able to become members. Examples of individuals falling into this category may be for example, individuals who are Deaf or individuals providing a service to the Deaf community, but not in a BSL interpreting capacity.

The primary aims and objectives of ASLI are to:

• To encourage good practice in Sign Language interpreting
• To represent the interests and views of Sign Language interpreters and the Sign Language interpreting profession in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

ASLI play an invaluable role in helping to achieve these objectives. As an example they provide professional support and advice to their BSL Interpreters, promote and encourage training and help to set and implement respective policy requirements. They also provide a comprehensive website which includes a whole host of succinct and relevant information relating to the field of BSL interpreting.

There are a number of important functions which are carried out by ASLI. These include:

• Driving meetings with relevant stakeholders and other professional bodies, who may have a valuable input to the way in which the BSL interpreting profession evolves and functions
• Providing the opportunity for BSL interpreters to participate forums which allow them to network effectively with other professionals and agencies with whom they might liaise when carrying out their role
• Publication of a quarterly professional magazine, entitled ‘NEWSLI’
• Helping to maintain and build networks within the international Sign Language Interpreter stage
• Promote the beliefs of ASLI to committees which may have a vested interest in Sign Language Interpreting