For over five decades, Bill Pugin has stood at the crossroads of two languages and cultures-bridging communication between the Deaf and hearing worlds. In this heartfelt and often humorous memoir, Pugin takes readers on a journey from his small-town Southern childhood to the global stages and studios where he built a lifetime of stories as a sign language interpreter, performer, and advocate.
From his first exposure to American Sign Language through his Deaf sister, Mary Anne, to interpreting alongside Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, Fly on the Wall celebrates the beauty of connection, the art of interpretation, and the human spirit's unshakable drive to be understood. Pugin's reflections reveal not just the life of one man, but the evolution of a profession-and a culture-rooted in empathy, expression, and resilience.
A moving tribute to the Deaf community and a master class in compassion, this memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in language, accessibility, and the extraordinary power of understanding.
Bill Pugin believes people can master the skills of powerful communication by being open to life'sexperiences and developing natural tools of social observation. Signing started Pugin on his road todiscovery. His sister, Mary Anne, is deaf and his great affection toward her inspired him to learn signlanguage. He attended Gallaudet University, a university for the Deaf in Washington DC, where hecompleted his formal training in Sign Language Interpreting in 1979. Along the way, Bill earned certificationswith the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, California Association of theDeaf, and numerous other awards and recognitions.Bill has traveled the world providing exceptional sign language interpreting services for four U.S. Presidents, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, World Leaders and Entertainment Industry Icons. He founded The SignLanguage Company in order to offer the industry a higher level of talent and service. Bill is 'hands on' withthe day-to-day operations at The Sign Language Company, ensuring his company maintains the highstandards and industry reputation he established over 35 years ago. He is also a published author havingpenned his memoir in recently released Fly on the Wall.
