6. Is sign language an officially recognised language in the courts?
Of all the 35 countries, together with California and New York state, surveyed some 22 responded with an unqualified “Yes”. Only two countries, Albania and Ire- land, responded with a “No”.
Of those 11 countries qualifying their “Yes”, in Bul- garia, sign language maybe “officially approved” but the state does not pay for the service. And, in Canada, while the translation service may be paid for by the state, it appears that sign language itself may not be recognised as an official language of the Fed- eral courts.
In looking at access to sign language, it is important to recognise that the legal process does not take place only in the courts. The example of France is, perhaps, illustrative: “…the State doesn’t pay for the intervention of a translator for an hearing impaired witness during an inquiry.”
Sign language is both an official language of the courts and persons with a hearing impairment have the right to a translator paid for by the state.
Sign language is only officially recognised in some courts. Or those with a hearing impairment do not have the right to a translator. Or a translator is not paid for by the state. Or only by custom are translators made available, and paid for, by the state.
Sign language is not recognised in the courts, those with a hearing impairment have the right neither to a transla- tor, nor for any translator to be paid for by the state and translators are, by custom, neither made available nor paid for by the state.
 Albania (ALB) |
No right to a translator |
 Argentina (ARG) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Australia (AUS) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Austria (AUT) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Belgium – Federal State Walloon (BEL) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Bulgaria (BUL) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Canada (CAN) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Croatia (CRO) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Czech Republic (CZE) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Denmark (DNK) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Estonia (EST) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Finland (FIN) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 France (FRA) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Germany (DEU) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Hungary (HUN) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Ireland (IRL) |
No right to a translator |
 Israel (ISR) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Italy (ITA) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Kosovo (RKS) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Macedonia (MKD) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Mexico (MEX) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Montenegro (MNE) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Netherlands (NED) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Portugal (POR) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Romania (ROU) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Serbia (SRB) |
Right to a translator but not paid by the state |
 Slovakia (SVK) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Slovenia (SLO) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 South Africa (RSA) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Spain (ESP) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Sweden (SWE) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Switzerland (SUI) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 Turkey (TUR) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 United Kingdom (UK) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
 United States – California (US CA) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
| United States – New York (US NY state) |
Right to a translator paid by the state |
