Becoming a Sign Language Interpreter to Help People with Disabilities (Berita Harian)

Becoming a Sign Language Interpreter to Help People with Disabilities (Berita Harian)

Saturday, December 14, 2024 ( Published in Berita Harian)

Ms. Suhaila Sulaiman finds another way to contribute to society as a sign language interpreter at the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) since August 2022.
Photo by BH / SHAFIQ APANDI

Becoming a Sign Language Interpreter to Help People with Disabilities

By Insyirah Mohd Shukor

When Ms. Suhaila Sulaiman came across a poster for a “silent” religious class on her university campus, she was moved to join it.

Overcome with emotion, she shed tears as she witnessed a deaf woman recite Surah Al-Fatihah in sign language. That experience opened her heart to learn more about sign language.

Today, Ms. Suhaila, 27, serves as a sign language interpreter at the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf)—a career path she never imagined taking.

In an interview with Berita Harian, she shared that her initial ambition was to become a religious teacher. She achieved a degree in Quranic and Sunnah Studies from the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) in 2016.

However, her desire to assist the deaf community and create a more inclusive environment—especially for their access to religious knowledge—was too strong to ignore.

Ms. Suhaila, who is also certified under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) and qualified to be a religious teacher, explained:
“I decided to shift my career direction because I realized I could play a different role and help society in another way. As a sign language interpreter, I have the opportunity to give the deaf community a voice, ensuring their views are heard and appreciated.”

“They (the deaf community) may not communicate or speak like us, but their faith and devotion can still be deeply felt through sign language.”

Recalling the moment that sparked her interest, Ms. Suhaila—who began learning sign language as a volunteer with a disability outreach group at her university, Sekretariat Sahabat FAQEH USIM—expressed admiration for the resilience of the deaf community in seeking religious knowledge despite communication barriers.

When asked about a particularly unforgettable moment, Ms. Suhaila, who has interpreted religious lectures at mosques, said:
“During a program teaching the deaf about religious knowledge through sign language called the Silent Dakwah Course (KDTS), a participant who initially struggled with sign language and understanding it was able to recite prayers in sign language by the end of the program.”

“That moment reminded me that the greatest challenges often bring the most rewarding outcomes,” said the youngest of five siblings.

After returning to Singapore in 2020, Ms. Suhaila deepened her knowledge of sign language.

This was because Malaysian Sign Language (BIM), which she had previously learned, differs from Singapore Sign Language (SgSL), which has its own unique structure and signs. SgSL is a combination of Shanghai Sign Language, American Sign Language, and signs developed specifically in Singapore.

Ms. Suhaila finds her role as a sign language interpreter for the deaf community in Singapore over the past two years deeply meaningful and fulfilling—not just translating words, but also conveying emotions.

“Every day, I remind myself that my job isn’t just to translate words but also to convey the emotions they wish to express,” said Ms. Suhaila.

Article link: https://www.beritaharian.sg/singapura/jadi-jurubahasa-isyarat-demi-bantu-orang-kurang-upaya