ASL Linguist (* Canada Only *)

Job Summary

The ASL Linguist is a native ASL professional who applies deep linguistic and cultural expertise to produce high-quality sign language data for AI/ML applications. Linguists own dictionary entries, annotate complex ASL phenomena, review avatars, and design contractor tasks. The role requires strong ASL linguistic judgment, comfort with annotation tools, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with other AI/ML developers.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand Sorenson's ASL sign dictionary — author new entries, review and update existing entries, document regional and register variants, and resolve disputed entries with the Lead.
• Annotate ASL video using advanced gloss conventions, including classifier predicates (locative, instrument, semantic, body-part, and element classifiers), non-manual markers, role shift, and prosody.
• Partner with AI/ML engineering teams to clarify linguistic requirements for training data, review model outputs for linguistic accuracy, and provide feedback on edge cases.
• Review text-to-sign avatar output for ASL grammatical accuracy, naturalness, and cultural appropriateness; document issues using standardized rubrics.
• Lead weekly linguistic calibration sessions; own gloss and classifier convention documentation and decision logs.
• Mentor Sign Language Specialists during cross-functional rotations.
• Maintain accurate records of annotation work, decisions, and edge cases in team tooling and documentation systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

 

Travel Requirements

Travel Requirements:  Less than 25%

 

Education

Minimum 4 Year / Bachelors Degree In ASL Linguistics, Deaf Studies, ASL Studies, Interpreting, Deaf Education, or related fields.

 

Experience

3 Years of substantive professional ASL work (annotation, linguistics, interpreting, Deaf education, or comparable).

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required

• Bilingual in ASL in English, with the ability to produce and quality-assure professional English transcriptions from ASL source content.
• Deep working knowledge of ASL linguistics — gloss conventions, non-manual markers, classifier predicates, role shift, and ASL grammar.
• Active and informed participant in the Deaf community, with awareness of regional and generational ASL variation.
• Experience producing or annotating ASL content for instructional, research, interpreting, or media purposes.
• Strong written English for documentation, task specifications, and cross-team collaboration.
• Proficiency with standard productivity and collaboration tools (Microsoft Office, Confluence, JIRA, or equivalent).
• Comfortable working with computer-based annotation tools and learning new software.
• Attention to detail, consistency, and a willingness to follow and improve standardized conventions.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with peer Specialists, the Lead, and engineering teams.
• Professional attitude, team player, strong interpersonal communication skills, and able to work across research, engineering, and business departments.

Preferred

• American Sign Language as a primary or native language.
• Master's degree in ASL Linguistics, Linguistics, Deaf Studies, Interpreting, Deaf Education, or a related field.
• Prior experience with annotation tools such as ELAN, CVAT, or comparable platforms.
• Experience working with AI/ML teams, technology companies, or research groups that produce sign language data.
• Experience reviewing or evaluating signed avatars, animations, or generated ASL content.
• Experience writing or reviewing annotation guidelines, style guides, or convention documentation.
• Familiarity with sign language corpora, lexicography, or dictionary projects.
• Experience mentoring or training other annotators or linguists.
• Familiarity with PSE, SEE, and other North American signing varieties.