At the end of 2022, the Flemish Sign Language Centre launched the video series “VGT at the Table“. In each episode, they invite a Flemish researcher working on topics related to sign language and Deaf Studies for a conversation. Three episodes have already been published previously: a conversation with Dr. Maartje De Meulder, an interview with Prof. Annelies Kusters, and a duo episode with Marieke Kusters and Dr. Beatrijs Wille.
All episodes are in Flemish Sign Language but have English subtitles, just click the CC button of the video.
I had the honour of joining the table as the fourth researcher. At Soepbar Sordo, a soup bar owned by a deaf entrepreneur in Ghent, Hannes interviewed me about my doctoral research into linguistic interpreting strategies. We did not only talk about the study but also looked at concrete examples from the work of Deaf interpreters and translators, applying the findings of my study. We discussed which strategies they used, why, and whether these confirmed or contradicted the findings of my research.
In addition — as is customary for a VGT at the Table episode — there was a surprise guest. (SPOILER ALERT). Ayfer Içeloglu is the first Deaf interpreter in Flanders of Turkish origin. One of the module components during her training as a Deaf interpreter at KU Leuven was on interpreting strategies. In the interview she shares her experience as an interpreter and as a Deaf person with a migration background in Flanders. She spoke about which strategies she frequently applies and how her own specific lived experience offers an enriching perspective on how strategies do not operate in a vacuum but within context(s), culture(s) and social justice. Enjoy! (*click CC for English subtitles)
The Strategic Nature of Interpreting 