Sign Language and the Global Soccer Tournament
Our global headquarters is located in the Philadelphia metro area. The city is one of the host cities for the global soccer tournament this summer. According to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, nearly 500,000 visitors are expected to come to the city for the games. It is anticipated to bring energy, new audiences, and global visibility to Philadelphia and the other host cities.
In addition to Philadelphia, we have office staff in California, which also has two other host cities for the soccer matches.
As an international language services provider, we work with clients to help people globally to understand each other and the world around them. One particular element of this year’s soccer tournament is that sign language interpretation broadcasts will be available for every match. This marks the first time that sign language will be available for the international soccer matches.
Canada and Mexico will also host matches. As such, the early round matches in the United States and Canada will have American Sign Language (ASL) broadcasts available, while the matches in Mexico will feature Mexican Sign Language broadcast options.
Sign language is a complete language that communicates meaning with visual and physical expression instead of spoken words. The soccer broadcasts also highlight that sign language is unique to different locations. In fact, according to the National Association of the Deaf, sign language is not a single universal language:
Each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. Like any spoken language, ASL is a language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. Like all languages, ASL is a living language that grows and changes over time.
Sign language also conveys more than words. The sign language interpreters for the soccer matches are anticipated to relay the play-by-play action to viewers, along with emotional and environmental aspects of the matches including referee whistles, crowd noise, and shifts in the stadium atmosphere.
The availability of the international soccer matches in sign languages comes on the heels of other major league sports leagues having their recent championship games or tournaments include sign language broadcasts.
All the best to the players and interpreters alike for this year’s tournament!
We provide sign language interpretation as part of the on-site and remote interpretation services we provide for clients. For more information, please contact us.
