“Signs don’t practice themselves: How I keep my BSL sharp.”
Growing up as a CODA, BSL wasn’t just a language—it was the rhythm of daily life. It threaded through family conversations, stories, and day-to-day tasks. But being a fluent signer from childhood doesn’t automatically make you the best interpreter—or keep your skills sharp over decades. Maintaining and developing BSL requires intention, practice, and engagement with the evolving language and culture.
Looking back, my childhood was full of learning moments. I recall my mum constantly refining her signing, always curious and eager to improve. One of my uncles had a playful streak—he loved inventing new signs and explaining how they “worked” as visual indicators of meaning. My dad didn’t always find his input useful at the time, but he would bag it until later, when the idea made perfect sense in practice. Those experiences taught me early on that language is living, playful, and evolving.
Being a native signer doesn’t automatically make someone a skilled interpreter. I learned that as a teenager, riding in the car with my dad when a police officer pulled him over. My dad referred to me as his personal interpreter, and the officer—seemingly oblivious—started shouting at my dad. I looked at him and said sarcastically, “Yes, if you shout loud enough, the profoundly deaf man can hear you.” I rolled my eyes and told my dad the officer was being stupid. That moment stuck with me as a reminder: interpreting is a professional skill, not just natural fluency. Accuracy, impartiality, and real-time adaptation are skills that must be honed.
As I’ve worked with more Deaf people—many of whom don’t know my dad—I’ve had to turn my sarcasm switch off. Not all hearing people have the privilege of knowing or interacting with a Deaf person, so they may have no clue about visual communication or interaction norms. This is where interpersonal insight comes into play. Understanding people—their personalities, expectations, and communication styles—supports my professional role as a Sign Language Interpreter. It’s not just about language; it’s about empathy, reading situations, and facilitating smooth, respectful communication.
I started my formal BSL journey by completing Level 1, then Level 2, and eventually working my way up to Level 6. Even now, as a qualified interpreter, teacher, and assessor, I carry out far more Continuing Professional Development (CPD) than the NRCPD requires. Maintaining and upskilling isn’t just about competence—it’s central to my core ethical standards as a professional. Staying current with BSL, Deaf culture, and interpreting practice ensures that I can work with integrity, provide accurate and impartial communication, and uphold the trust that clients place in me. Lifelong learning isn’t optional; it’s part of being accountable, responsible, and ethically grounded in every professional interaction.
Sign language and the interpreting profession itself have evolved significantly. BSL was only formally labelled in the late 1970s and early 1980s. CACDP emerged in 1980, ASLI in 1987, and the NRCPD in 2009. I think back and wonder—where were all these organisations when I was a child, or when my dad was growing up? I’m grateful they exist now, constantly fighting to be seen and heard, advocating for access, professional standards, and recognition of Deaf culture. Their work creates the environment in which interpreters and Deaf people can thrive.
I support everyone who does all they can to empower others. But to do that effectively, we need to be working to the same set of professional standards, not our own versions. Consistency ensures there’s a joint teaching of the hearing world and a reliable, supportive structure for Deaf professionals to draw on. This reinforces equality in workplaces, education, and wider society, making communication fairer and access more robust.
Learning and maintaining BSL isn’t just about memorising signs. It’s about curiosity, engagement, reflection, and empathy. It’s about understanding people, navigating complex interactions, and committing to lifelong growth. For anyone learning BSL or considering interpreting as a career, remember: fluency is just the start. True proficiency comes from practice, observation, and genuine connection with the language and its community.
