Inside the World of a Sign Language Interpreter

Sign language interpreters are often unseen, yet they play a critical role in bridging communication between the deaf and hearing worlds. Bill Pugin, a veteran ASL interpreter of more than 50 years and author of the new book Fly on the Wall, shares how his deaf sister inspired his career and offers fascinating stories from decades of interpreting—especially in the entertainment industry. From working with Paul McCartney, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, and Natalie Portman to performing high-pressure live, on-stage interpreting, Pugin explains why interpreting is about conveying meaning, not word-for-word translation. His book is available now, with a local book signing set for January 14 in Palm Springs.