Businesses new to working with Deaf clients or employees often assume “sign language” is a single, uniform system. In reality, several distinct sign systems are used in the U.S., and knowing the difference helps you request the right kind of interpreting support.
American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, and sentence structure — entirely distinct from English. It’s the primary language for many Deaf individuals, especially those raised in Deaf families or educated within Deaf community settings. We covered ASL’s background in more depth in our post on the history of American Sign Language.
Signing Exact English (SEE)
SEE is a manually coded system designed to represent English word-for-word, including English grammar markers (like verb tenses and plurals) that don’t exist in ASL. It’s not a natural language in the way ASL is — it was created specifically as an educational tool, largely used in some school settings to reinforce English literacy alongside signing.
Pidgin Signed English (PSE) / Contact Signing
PSE — sometimes referred to as “contact signing” — falls somewhere between ASL and English-based signing. It borrows ASL vocabulary but generally follows English word order, and it’s commonly used in mixed settings where Deaf and hearing signers with different backgrounds are communicating together.
Why This Distinction Matters for Interpreting
An interpreter fluent in ASL isn’t automatically well-suited to a setting that calls for SEE, and vice versa. Before booking, it’s worth asking your Deaf client or employee directly which system they use and prefer — this single question can meaningfully improve the quality and comfort of an interpreted interaction.
This matters especially in:
- Educational settings, where a student’s IEP may specify a particular sign system
- Multi-generational family settings, where preferences can vary between a Deaf parent and a mainstreamed Deaf child
- Mixed group settings, where PSE may bridge communication more comfortably than strict ASL or SEE
Don’t Assume — Ask
The safest approach is simple: ask the individual which system they use, rather than assuming based on setting or age. Preferences are personal and shaped by upbringing, education, and community — not a fixed rule tied to context.
Matching the Right Interpreter to the Right System
A good interpreting agency will ask about sign system preference as part of the booking process, and match an interpreter accordingly — just as it would ask about the setting, subject matter, and certification needs discussed in our post on choosing the right interpreting agency.
Need help identifying the right interpreting fit for a client or employee in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or another area we serve? Reach out to our team — we’re happy to help you sort it out.