About The Sign Language Company

Actor-interpreter-business owner Bill Pugin believes people can master the skills of powerful communication by being open to life's experiences and developing natural tools of social observation. Signing

started Pugin on his road to discovery. His sister, Mary Anne, is deaf and his great affection toward her inspired him to learn sign language. He attended Gallaudet University, a university for the Deaf in Washington DC, where he completed his formal training in interpreting sign language. Pugin then studied theater arts at Georgia Southwestern College. His theatrical and signing backgrounds merged when he took an editing test for the National Captioning Institute and earned the highest score, leading to a job offer with the Institute in Hollywood in 1979.

In 1986, Pugin formed Southern California Registry of Interpreters for Professional Talent, Inc (SCRIPT), to provide interpretation and consultation services to the entertainment industry. He has been the interpreter for such films as The River Wild and Hear No Evil, and political events including the Bush-Dukakis debate and President Carter's inauguration. These events were unique honors for Pugin; he helped open the political system to non-hearing people, allowing them to be equals in the election process. Meryl Streep and Bill Pugin

During the '90s, Pugin co-starred with Marlee Matlin in the NBC series, Reasonable Doubts, and was
Meryl Streep's sign coach in the feature film, The River Wild.

Several years ago SCRIPT became The Sign Language Company—formed to focus on the interpreting, consulting and tutoring of Sign Language to the entertainment industry as well as to provide top level interpreting services in the fields of academics, medicine, law and all business environments.