Terminology

Wrong differentiation between three concepts: „sign speech“, „sign language“ and „signed Czech“ is one of the biggest problems in the field of interpreting for Deaf as well as in sign language teaching field. Unfortunately, these problems are often caused by interpreters themselves because they do not know what the difference between these concepts is and so, they confuse their (deaf) clients then. We therefore think, that it is necessary to explain the concepts on our website. The definitions are taken from the Sign Speech Law 155/1998 Sb.

Sign speech (znaková řeč)

For purposes of this law, sign speech means Czech sign language and signed Czech.

Sign language (znakový jazyk)

Czech sign language is primary mean of communication for deaf people in the Czech Republic.

Czech sign language is natural and valuable system of communication, which is constituted by specific visual means and means of motion: by hand shapes, hand positions and movements, by mimicry and head and upper trunk positions. Czech sign language has fundamental features of a language (system, double articulation, productivity, historical dimension), and it is stabilized in its vocabulary and grammar system.

Signed Czech (znakovaná čeština)

Signed Czech is an artificial language system, which facilitates mutual understanding between hearing and deaf people.

Signed Czech uses mostly grammar of a Czech language, which is articulated with or without voice. While articulating Czech words, corresponding signs of Czech sign language are made with hand positions and movements.

It is useful to see concepts mentioned above from the point of view of interpreting:

Sign speech

We do not use the term interpreting in this context. It is necessary to specify, whether sign language or signed speech is required for interpreting.

Sign language

We use the term interpreting in the context of this term. Interpreting here means unambiguous transfer of content and meaning of a message from a source language into a target language. Diversity of both languages, spoken and signed one, has to be respected during this tranfer, as well as diversity of Deaf culture and culture of hearing people. It is very important to interpret truly way of expression and not to change nor meaning neither content of a message

The person, who provides this type of interpreting, is called an interpreter.

Signed Czech

We do not use the term interpreting in this context. The English fixed term for this activity is „transliterating“. There is no Czech equivalent for it so far. It is a certain way of transcription or „making visible“ Czech language through signs: each single Czech word has a corresponding sign from Czech sign language. It is obvious, that nor diversity of both languages, neither diversity of both cultures are respected during this transfer.

According to a sign language user´s point of view, the way of expression as well as meaning and content of a message are changed. This way of communication is suitable for people, who prefer Czech language, not Czech sign language for communication.

The person, who provides this way of information transfer is wrongly called an interpreter. The English term for this person is „a transliterator“.

Česká komora tlumočníků znakového jazyka
Ocelářská 35/1354
190 00 PRAHA 9
Czech Republic
Tel./fax: +420 281918747
email: cktzj@cktzj.com