Sign language in Austria is often still restricted to 'emergencies' or official circumstances (e.g. court interpreting, community interpreting, ...). Research, however, has shown there is a demand for more interpreters, and not merely in official circumstances. The sign language interpreter's profile is changing as well. In the past family members, friends, … often acted as interpreters for the deaf, which often meant they were not neutral and acted more or less as benefactors. On the other hand there is the tendency of regarding the interpreter as a mere transmitter of conversations from one language into another. This can also lead to conflicts when using professional interpreters, as both parties may expect very different things. [Source: A. Matthyssen] Sign language interpreting is described as interpreting in or out of a sign language, the main means of communication for the deaf. The article deals with sign language interpreting in Austria, interpreting in schools and universities, the profile of professional sign language interpreters, interpreter training, and sign language interpreting in the different fields of interpreting such as community (dialogue) interpreting, court interpreting, conference interpreting, and media interpreting.