Month: March 2024

Visiting Researcher Lecture – Anja Saft

The academic potential of sign language interpreters as researchers
(German case study)

The Centre of Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin welcomed Anja Saft (RSLI, MA EUMASLI) who presented her recent research on  the transition of signed language interpreting (SLI) practitioners into the academic world, a topic that has received limited attention thus far. 

We are thrilled to share the recorded lecture (spoken English and Irish Sign Language) and the PowerPoint presentation with all of you.

Through focus groups the study explored the perceptions of interpreters who are currently undergoing the transition process, as well as the perspectives of those who have chosen not to pursue an academic path.

The findings suggest that pathways to academia for SLI practitioners in Germany are limited or inaccessible. SLI who are currently pursuing a PhD in Germany are pioneers. In their journey they experience obstacles, face certain attitudes, but also found supportive structures. They are paving the way for future students, serving as an inspiration while at the same time fostering the growth and development of the profession.

We hope that this lecture will open the discussion about pathways to academia for signed language interpreters.

Further I would like to draw your attention to some upcoming events that might interest you if you are thinking about signed language interpreting, research, and academia:

  • June 12th – 15th The Francqui Sign Language Studies Summer School will be held in Brussels creating a dynamic learning environment for PhD students, post-docs, and early career researchers from various fields of Sign Language Studies with a focus on interpreting and translation. It is also open to MA graduates contemplating undertaking a PhD or wanting to know more about what a PhD entails.
  • June 22nd – 23rd The Together Conference – a fully online conference where Anja Saft (amongst other esteemed Sign Language Studies scholars) will present on bridging the gap between education and practice (in that respect you might also want to have a look at Bridging the Gap which aims to bridge the gap between research, practice, community).

Finally, two tips shared by wonderful colleagues and an invitation to consider exploring the EUMASLI programme:

If people are interested in doing ‘something else’ related to the profession, it doesn’t have to be research… how about considering becoming a professional supervisor for signed language interpreters?

Dr. Paul Michaels

The ASLI online reading group is a safe space where signed language interpreters read scientific academic papers and articles together. Asking clarifications, discussing them and understanding why research matters to our daily professional reality.

Mark Schofield

EUMASLI is a cross-country European Master programme that prepares the future Signed Language Interpreting Studies researchers. If you have any research itch or dreams, consider applying!

Onderzoek duurzaamheid beroep tolk VGT-X in het nieuws

Eind 2023 werd een vragenlijst verspreid onder afgestudeerde tolken VGT-X om te peilen naar de duurzaamheid van het beroep. Het onderzoeksproject is een samenwerking tussen Doof Vlaanderen vzw, BVGT vzw, en Tenuto vzw en wordt uitgevoerd door mij aan Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Recent kwam het thema “tolkentekort” terug in het nieuws. Deze keer aangekaart door CAB Vlaanderen vzw. De directeur van het CAB trok aan de alarm bel en gaf verschillende redenen (niet allemaal even correct) waarom voor tolkopdrachten geen beschikbare tolk VGT-X kan gevonden worden. Opnieuw werd dit toegeschreven aan het tekort aan tolken.

Doof Vlaanderen reageerde met een duidelijke en genuanceerde VGT video. Deze kadert het probleem op een meer correcte manier. Ze verwijzen ook naar het lopende onderzoek dat ons (heel) binnenkort meer antwoorden zal bieden.