Contact us by email at interpreting@alsglobal.net or via phone at 1-800-951-5020 for a free estimate on our ASL and CART services.

Trusted CART & ASL Services in Plymouth, MA

American Language Services has been helping businesses and other entities reach the deaf and hard of hearing community for more than 35 years. While in-person interpreting, at one time, was the only option, recent technological advances opened the door to other options. Since we offer full-service Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), this article will be comparing Virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting with Communication Access Real-Time Translation (AKA- Closed Captioning & Real Time Subtitling) known as CART.

 Please note that according to the American Disability Act (ADA) that deaf and hard of hearing community have the legal right to receive full access through the use of ASL and or CART services. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and providing ASL interpreters for deaf individuals complies with federal law and promotes equal accessibility.

Some interesting Facts About the City of Plymouth

• Plymouth is one of “The 25 Best Beach Towns in New England,” according to Yankee Magazine. The article reads, in part: “With a thriving town center and historic sites galore, including Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II, this community has all the makings of a premier beach town.”
• When it comes to Plymouth Rock, facts and fiction are inseparable. Although local lore maintains this is the very rock where the Pilgrims first set foot, facts suggest otherwise. Did you know there is also a Plymouth Rock on Mars? NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Spirit took a photo of the chunk of basalt that, since June 7, 2004, informally bears the same name as America’s birthstone.
• Yes, it really is spelled “Plimoth.” The living history museum in Plymouth is called Plimoth Planation — and that’s no coincidence. Like so many other peculiarities in this area, the explanation dates to the 17th century. With no Merriam-Webster at hand, writers would often spell out words phonetically. William Bradford, the English Separatist leader who signed the Mayflower Company and later became the governor of Plymouth Colony, was no exception. In a historical account, he wrote “Plimoth.” The museum, wishing to distinguish itself from the town, embraced the spelling.
• Mayflower II has returned to Plymouth! The legendary ship with the stately silhouette was renovated and repainted in Mystic Seaport, Conn., this past winter but made its way back to Plimouth Plantation in late May, just in time for the tourist season. A full-scale reproduction of the original Mayflower, it first crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1957, and will undergo further repairs to really shine at the 400th anniversary of the maiden voyage in 2020.
• Who said wine must come from Napa Valley? Plymouth boasts two local wineries: Plymouth Winery and Plymouth Bay Winery. Both located on Water Street within walking distance to Plymouth Rock and other attractions, they offer a range of fruit and grape wines. They carry on the tradition of the New England colonists who also had an affinity for winemaking, although they used honey in the fermentation process.
• If you want to go hiking, look no further than Plymouth. More than 250 miles of trails crisscross the area — including the mile-long stroll through the Crowley Woodlands Preserve and the Pilgrim Trail that cuts through Brewster Gardens in downtown Plymouth. And let’s not forget about the trails at Redbrook, laid out by the Appalachian Mountain Club.
• As one of the first settlements in the country and the site of the first Thanksgiving feast, Plymouth is also known as America’s Hometown. Wikipedia states, “The events surrounding the history of Plymouth have become part of the mythology of the United States.”
• The much anticipated grand opening of the new Old Colony YMCA at Redbrook is drawing near. Scheduled to premiere this fall, the first phase includes an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, with four workout studios and a range of group fitness classes; a preschool; drop-off child watch for children, aged 3 months to 7 years; a variety of family activities; and wellness programs. The second phase will bring a six-lane lap pool, a family pool, basketball courts, and soccer fields.
• The Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth is the oldest continually operating public museum in the United States. Built in 1824, the museum houses an unmatched collection of 17th century artifacts that tell the story of the Pilgrims and the founding of America. See the cradle of New England’s first-born, William Bradford’s Bible, and the only portrait of a Pilgrim painted from life.
• The daily ferry trips from Plymouth to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod are on for the summer. Let yourself be whisked away for a day of gallery browsing, lunching at quirky restaurants, and soaking in the sun on the world-famous National Seashore. The ride takes 90 minutes each way.
• Plymouth has one of the largest school systems in Massachusetts. The Plymouth Public School District includes 13 schools which is way above the state average.
• Population-speaking, Plymouth is the second largest town in Massachusetts behind Framingham. 
• Plymouth is one of two county seats of Plymouth County, the other one being Brockton.
• It is named after Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom, which is, in turn, named for the mouth of the river Plym.
• Plymouth was first settled by the Pilgrims in 1620. The first Thanksgiving was held there.
• It was the capitol of Plymouth Colony from 1620 until 1691, when it became part of Massachusetts.

Reference Sources: Plymouth Country Club, KidzSearch, Redbrook

Plymouth ASL & CART Language Interpreters

American Language Services is known for our high-quality, In-person and Virtual interpreters, as well as the outstanding client services we provide. We work in 200+ languages including Legal and Medical Certified and Qualified.  ASL and CART are the fastest growing languages in Plymouth today a language interpreter can be a very underestimated professional in the world today. There are over 100 languages spoken in the Plymouth Metro area alone. Many of us know one language, and we specialize in one field of study. Our Plymouth Interpreters are fluent in English and at least one other language, and they are knowledgeable in a wide range of specialized fields including legal, medical, technical, manufacturing, and engineering.

A brief history of ASL Interpreting in Plymouth

Most people know that ASL stands for American Sign Language. But not everyone knows that it is a distinct language—not simply an offshoot of American English. Though its beginnings are murky, many believe that ASL originated from a merger of French Sign Language (SLF) and local U.S. sign languages. While ASL and SLF are distinct languages, there are still some similarities between their signs.

What actually is ASL?   ASL a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages with grammar however that differs from English. ASL is expressed by movements of the hands and face.  ASL is a language completely separate and distinct from English. It contains all the fundamental features of language, with its own rules for pronunciation, word formation, and word order.  Because of the physical nature of ASL, a two-person team of ASL interpreters is required for assignments longer than 1 hour in duration.

The National Center for Health Statistics claims that 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, though only between two and eight percent of them are natural ASL speakers.  Helping these select individuals translate the audible into the understandable is the job of an ASL interpreter.  If you have ever been to a play, a concert or watched a government briefing, you have probably seen an ASL interpreter signing just out of view.  An interesting side note is that Statista estimates that there are currently around 60,000 active ASL interpreters in the USA.

The Benefits of ASL Interpreting in Plymouth

When it comes to communicating with hard-of-hearing or deaf audiences, there are a few reasons you might want to opt for a Plymouth ASL interpreter over CART services. These include:

• A More Personal Connection: A real person has several advantages over a computer screen. First, human interpreters have an easier time conveying emotion. Second, they are better equipped to point out speakers and assist with pronunciation issues. Finally, an interpreter gives a deaf or hard of hearing person a chance to bond with another person.
• Enhanced Speed: Skilled interpreters can hold pace with even the fastest speakers. Lack of delay makes it easier for deaf and hard of hearing individuals to keep up with the conversation.
• Cost Effective:  While costs range by the type of ASL you need (Legal, medical, business, etc.) and when the assignment is scheduled, the cost off ASL, across the board, is less money than CART.

What Is CART?

While the majority of people know what American Sign Language is, the same cannot be said for Communication Access Real-Time Translation. Often referred to as CART, this communication method for the deaf and hard of hearing is best described as subtitling for live discussions. Unlike ASL, which relies on a professional interpreter, CART services are provided by a well-trained stenographer or transcriptionist. They transcribe anything said and then broadcast the resulting text to a phone, computer, or TV screen.

CART is often seen as a cost-effective and efficient way to ensure everybody can follow along. While often used to help deaf students in the classroom, CART captioning benefits anyone that can read.  Much like ASL interpreting, it can be done both onsite with a physical transcriptionist or remotely with an offsite one.

Why You Should Consider CART for the Plymouth Market

Communication Access Real-Time Translation is growing in popularity due to the following characteristics:

• It Serves a Wider Array of Deaf People: If you do a little math, you will realize that 65 percent of hard-of-hearing people in the USA do not speak ASL fluently. CART makes it so these people can join in on the conversation as well.
• CART Makes It Scalable: While people in the front rows can easily make out what an interpreter is signing, it gets harder as the distance increases. Since captions can be beamed to multiple screens simultaneously, they do not have to factor speaker distance into the equation.
• The Text Provides a Written Record: Having a transcript of everything your professor said would be a godsend come finals. Having a record of a meeting can also provide clarity to all those involved as well. The physical nature of CART recording makes that possible. This ability is one reason so many college students opt for CART over traditional ASL interpreting. 

About American Language Services

Founded in 1985, American Language Services was there to help pioneer the rise in remote ASL interpreting options. Our dedication to quality and client satisfaction in interpreting allowed us to shift from a one-woman agency into one of the most successful language agencies in the world. Our language experts provide ASL & CART interpreting services to people all around the world. Because of our 24/7 availability, you’ll never have to worry about us not being available, on off times, for an assignment.

AML-Global has some of the most impressive linguistic talents in the world. These highly skilled language professionals are recruited, screened, and tested to ensure high-quality work.

Contact us by email at interpreting@alsglobal.net or via phone at 1-800-951-5020 for a free estimate on our ASL and CART services.