The masked speaker – Mask hinders communication between deaf people and sign language interpreters

timdavid

Anyone who is dependent on sign language, i.e. the hard of hearing, the deaf and 

, must see facial expressions and mouth image in order to 

 the language. In times of pandemic, the protective mask that covers the face restricts communication using sign language. In addition, the pandemic is bringing countless new terms into everyday life, which of course are also used by the deaf. They must be translated into sign language and learned as new vocabulary by deaf people such as sign language interpreters.

In the course of the corona pandemic, wearing a mask is now a matter of course. We have gotten used to having to speak louder and clearer to understand each other despite the mask. With the less face and the resulting facial expressions that we see from our counterpart, most of them can handle it.

However, the mask makes cooperation difficult where interpersonal communication is based on 

Taking care of young children in crèches, kindergartens and elementary schools

Teaching languages ​​in school, training and studies

In these situations, the mouth-nose protection mask severely restricts communication. It makes everyday life particularly difficult for 

Where can you find sign language interpreters if needed?

Many federal states have so-called interpreter agencies. If necessary, they can also provide you with qualified sign language interpreters for your region. Ask, for example, at advice centers for the hearing-impaired or at the regional associations of the deaf. This is the advice of the German Association for the Deaf If there is no such agency, the regional professional associations would also be a possible contact point when looking for a sign language interpreter.

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