✋ Interpreting in Filipino Sign Language Under Article 2 of the Filipino Sign Language Act (RA 11106) 🤝
In a society striving for inclusivity, communication is a fundamental human right. For the Deaf community in the Philippines, that right is deeply tied to Filipino Sign Language (FSL)—a language of identity, culture, and full participation. With the enactment of the Filipino Sign Language Act (RA 11106), Article 2 specifically outlines the framework for Interpreting in Filipino Sign Language, marking a bold move toward equal access and representation for Deaf Filipinos in all spheres of life.

This legal provision does more than establish a rule—it builds a national system of communication justice, ensuring that Deaf individuals are no longer marginalized in public discourse, education, health care, justice, and government.
📜🖐 FSL: The Official Language of Interpreting in the Philippines
Article 2, Section 7 of RA 11106 formally declares Filipino Sign Language as the official medium of interpreting in all transactions involving the Deaf. This institutional recognition means that FSL must be used in schools, courtrooms, government offices, hospitals, and public forums whenever a Deaf person is present.
This legal mandate also acknowledges that while FSL is the national standard, the individual preference of the Deaf person must be respected. This ensures that Deaf individuals maintain their autonomy while benefiting from a legally protected and culturally grounded form of communication.
Unlike imported sign languages, FSL is indigenous, developed organically within the Filipino Deaf community. It reflects Filipino culture, history, and context, making it not only a tool for communication but also a vessel of national identity.
🏛️🔧 Building Standards for Interpreting in Filipino Sign Language
Under RA 11106, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF)—in cooperation with the Deaf community, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other stakeholders—is mandated to establish a national system for interpreting in Filipino Sign Language. This includes:
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Developing training programs, continuing education, and lifelong professional development for interpreters;
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Creating procedures for certification, assessment, and accreditation of both professional and non-professional FSL interpreters;
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Instituting professional standards such as interpreter ethics, grievance handling, fair compensation, and safe working conditions.
A key component of this system is the recognition of Deaf Relay Interpreting. In this method, a Deaf interpreter works alongside a hearing interpreter to better facilitate communication for Deaf clients who use regional or unique signing variations. This ensures that interpreting services are tailored, inclusive, and rooted in Deaf culture.
This entire framework is expected to be fully developed within three years, marking an ambitious yet vital effort to professionalize and standardize FSL interpreting nationwide.
🎓🔍 The Role of Research in Advancing FSL Interpreting Standards
Beyond infrastructure, the Filipino Sign Language Act also emphasizes the role of academic research in sustaining and improving interpreting practices. The University of the Philippines (UP), along with other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), is called to conduct ongoing research and development related to FSL interpreting.
Their contributions will support:
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Continuous refinement of interpreter training curricula;
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Evaluation of policy effectiveness;
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Promotion of FSL as a dynamic, evolving linguistic system that responds to both local and global influences.
This scholarly engagement ensures that interpreting in Filipino Sign Language remains relevant, inclusive, and based on empirical data—not just policy.
💡🤲 Empowering Voices Through Language and Law
Interpreting in Filipino Sign Language under Article 2 of RA 11106 is not just a technical provision—it is a declaration of rights. It affirms that every Deaf Filipino deserves access to accurate, respectful, and culturally aligned communication. By implementing a strong framework for FSL interpreting, the law empowers both interpreters and the Deaf community to thrive in a more accessible Philippines.
Through shared effort among the government, educators, interpreters, and Deaf leaders, this legal recognition becomes a living practice of inclusion, justice, and national pride. As we move forward, let us remember: true accessibility is achieved when language serves everyone—equally, authentically, and without barriers.
Read also:
👐 Understanding the General Provisions of the Filipino Sign Language Act 📝
✋ Interpreting in Filipino Sign Language Under Article 2 of the Filipino Sign Language Act (RA 11106) 🤝
🧏♂️ Article III: Filipino Sign Language in Education Under RA 11106 📘
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