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.

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 Savannah

  • Savannah City has for a long time been known as a gem because of its beautiful coastal landscapes, well-preserved architecture, and vibrant history.
  • A lot has happened in this city from the civil war to a park in the city being featured in the classic movie, Forest Gump. It is also the oldest city in Georgia and is the county seat of Chatham County.
  • The city is abundant with recreational activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking, and camping.
  • For starters, this state was named after King George II from Great Britain. It is home to Coca-Cola and has a beautiful coastline and exuding southern charm.
  • English is the official language while Spanish is also widely spoken in the State. 
  • Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Edward Oglethorpe, a British philanthropist, and a congressman.
  • The city has a rich past making Savannah have a beautiful character and historical buildings. There are manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages, gothic buildings, and haunted houses.
  • Savannah’s past has made it one of the most visited southern cities. It is known as the first well-planned city in America.
  • Being the most beautiful and well-planned city in the States, Savanna got spared from destruction during the civil war.  Union General Sherman had burned Atlanta to the ground.
  • He was impressed by the state Savannah was in that he offered it as a Christmas present to President Lincoln. In his letter, he described the neat squares and lush greenery.
  • Savannah is known for its oaks with an idyllic drape of Spanish moss. One thing about the Spanish moss is that it is not a moss, neither is it a parasite plant.
  • The Spanish moss is in the same family as pineapples. These two plants are known as epiphytes because they absorb water and nutrients from the air.
  • Chippewa Square is one of the most popular squares in all of Savannah, right in the center of everything. This is because the square was featured in the classic movie, Forest Gump.
  • One of the four fiberglass benches used in the film was donated to the city and can be found in the Savannah History Museum.
  • Another movie that was filmed in this city is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This movie was filmed at the Mercer-Williams House.
  • General David Hunter was a Union General during the Civil War. He helped runaway slaves at Fort Pulaski and other areas in Florida and South Carolina.
  • The former slaves had a special place in General Hunter’s heart that on 9 May 1862, he issued an emancipation proclamation for all slaves in those states.
  • This news was not well received by President Lincoln, Hunter persisted and in 1863, the president issued a presidential Emancipation proclamation.
  • The Baptist Church in Savannah is one of the most visited landmarks in the city. It played a vital role in acting as a safe house for slaves.
  • It is also served as a stop for the Underground Railroad. The holes used for ventilation can still be seen on the floorboard on which the slaves travelled.
  • The church can be found on Montgomery Street. Being the first and oldest black church in North America it has been a haven for the black community since 1777.
  • Here’s a fun fact, Flannery O’Connor, a famous American novelist taught one their chickens to walk backwards.
  • She helped her family rear chicken as a young girl growing up in Savannah. Out of the many that she attempted to teach, one was able to walk backwards.
  • Savannah is known as the most haunted city in America. One of its loved hangout spots also happens to be the most haunted building.
  • Moon River Brewery was initially a city hotel back in 1821. It was named as the most haunted building in 2014. This was after guests and staff of the building and tour guides reported apparition appearances for years.
  • Savannah is known for its cobblestoned streets and neat squares. This extends to its historic parks too. The parks are great for hikes, picnics and relaxing. The Skidaway State park has beautiful trails for you to explore nature.
  • Other parks in the city are Forsyth Park, Lafayette Square, Skidaway Island State Park, and Emmet Park.
  • Savannah city has several historical monuments, squares, and parks. There is something to explore and experience in every corner of this city.
  • Some of the popular landmarks are Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah Historic District, Bonaventure Cemetery, Telfair Museums, Wormsloe Historic Site, and Old Fort Jackson.
  • There are 22 squares in Savannah and each of them pays homage to the city’s history.
  • Although you can visit Savannah during any season, the best time to enjoy your trip is during Spring. This is because the city shines more between March and May.
  • The streets are more colorful, and some several other exciting events and festivals happen during this period.
  • It is hotter and more humid during Summertime and the best place to be is at one of Savannah’s pristine beaches.
  • The city of Savannah hosts one of the gaudiest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the United States. It comes with a green fountain and crowds of merrymakers.
  • The celebrations extend to April when students from Savannah College of Art and Design host art festivals on the streets. Forsyth Park turns into an art gallery with exhibitions from students, and local artists.
  • If you wanted to have your cocktail on the go, you can do it here. You can enjoy your drink while strolling on the streets or while on a tour of the city.
  • This law, however, does not apply to the entire city space. The Alfresco alcohol policy is observed within the confines of the historic district boundaries. Just drink responsibly.
  • Before Savannah became a city, its meticulous squares were developed by James Oglethorpe. He planned out the squares after receiving instructions to develop the city. The squares are geometrically perfect as they were designed with communities in mind.
  • James Oglethorpe ensured that the welfare of the citizens in the city was well taken care of. He ensured that the poor had job opportunities hence avoid being in debt.
  • He gave free land to those that moved their families to his colony. These families would get a house and land to farm. They all received the same size of land and house.
  • He treated indigenous communities with respect. Oglethorpe had a good relationship with the Yamacraw tribe.

Reference Source: Discover Walks Blog

Savannah 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 Savannah today a language interpreter can be a very underestimated professional in the world today. There are over 100 languages spoken in the Savannah Metro area alone. Many of us know one language, and we specialize in one field of study. Our Savannah 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 Savannah

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 Savannah

When it comes to communicating with hard-of-hearing or deaf audiences, there are a few reasons you might want to opt for a Savannah 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 Savannah 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.

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS

Quick Quote