Newsletter November 2014

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Committed to the development of the profession of sign language interpreting worldwide.

November 2014

President's Update President Debra Russell Since the last WASLI newsletter, the WASLI Board of Directors and its Regional Representatives have been hard at work. As you will see from some of the reports in this newsletter, there are exciting activities in all corners of our world!

Some of the highlights of my work so far in 2014 include: March: I traveled to Saudi Arabia to offer 4 days of training to sign language interpreters and I was warmly welcomed at meetings with Deaf leaders of their associations. I thank Hend Al-Showaier and the Prince Salman Centre for Disability Research for the kind invitation and for sponsoring such a wonderful opportunity for Deaf people and interpreters to share in the training.

I was able to visit the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Head Office. Thanks to Shane Feldman and his exceptional staff for the afternoon of conversations and learning. It was wonderful to see the work of RID first hand!

April: I was invited to attend a conference in Dubai, UAE, and offer a workshop on ethical decision-making for interpreters from six Arab countries. It was such a pleasure to reconnect with friends

In this issue:

President's Update Regional Report- Asia Creating Opportunity in Fiji Interpreting in Pakistan A Ride for WASLI Linguistic Rights Moscow Conference Update

from Saudi Arabia and to meet so many new people. It is clear that there is huge desire for training of interpreters and for ways to improve upon the existing collaborations. WFD board member, Dr. Joe Murray was a keynote presenter at the conference and we were able meet jointly with Deaf associations on interpreting issues.

May: Thank you to the Russian Society of the Deaf (VOG) for their kind invitation to participate and offer a plenary presentation in Moscow at the Second International Conference on the Linguistic Rights of the Deaf. Igor Bondarenko, Transcausia Regional Rep, also attended the conference. I gave a presentation on Interpreters as Allies in Supporting Human Rights of Deaf People and Igor presented on WASLI’s activities in the region. I hope that we will see the Russian Sign Language Interpreters Association as a WASLI national member in the near future.

July: I traveled to the conference for Canadian interpreters, AVLIC, followed by the North American Sign Language Interpreters conference in Mexico City. In August, several of our board met face-to-face in Macau to participate in the interpreters conference as part of the WFD Asia meetings.

Our WASLI 2015 Conference website is up – please visit www.conference2015.wasli.org to see highlights of what will be a very exciting conference, and early bird registrations are already coming in! Thanks to each of the volunteers, and especially Michelle Ashley who has led the team – we are lucky to have so many dedicated people who are sharing their time and talent to plan an outstanding conference for the world.

Thank you to each of the board members and regional representatives for their work to continually develop the profession of sign language interpreting around the world, and our life-long ambassadors, like Liz Scott Gibson and Zane Hema, who also continue to travel and teach interpreters. WASLI is growing through the efforts of each of you!

If you haven’t checked out our Facebook and Twitter feeds, please add us. Our website also has frequent updates in English and International Sign, on everything from our financial statements, to information how to create an association, to our most recent news about the conference.

If you have questions about the work of the board, please do contact us. Wishing you well!

Regional Report- Asia

The 26th WFD RS-Asia Representatives Meeting, in parallel with the 6th WASLI-Asia Meeting, was held for three days from August 25 to 27 in Macau, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Macau Deaf Association. We also had the WASLI Board Meeting just before these meetings. I report on them.

NRASLI had been engaged in preparations for the establishment of WASLI, which was born in 2005. We’ve been sending WASLI Asia Regional Representatives since its establishment and hold the SLIs’ Meeting in Asia. This year, WASLI Board Meeting was held in concert with the Asia Meetings, so members of the International Division of NRASLI were busy getting ready for these.

Meeting between WASLI Board and Asian Interpreters (August 25, 14:00 – 17:00) It was the first time that WASLI board members attended the interpreters meeting in Asia. So we planned to have time for a meeting between WASLI and Asian interpreters. The meeting room was filled with 5 WASLI board members and 40 deaf and hearing interpreters from various Asian countries.

As always, we faced difficulties in communication.

Deaf interpreters need international sign interpretation. Hearing interpreters who don’t understand English need spoken interpretation by colleagues form the same county. We tried to do everything we could do to make no one feel fall behind. Deb, Susan and Nigel offered IS interpretation.

However, Deb had to answer questions from participants. And Nigel, as a deaf interpreter, needed hearing feeder who translates spoken English to sign language, and then he translated it into IS. We didn’t have any backup interpreter, and of course, we could not take over even after 20-minute service. Instead, we did some stretches together.

Participants asked about WASLI Membership, such as how the interpreter group shall be; independent from the deaf association or inside it, how to train and certify interpreters, and whether WASLI board can provide training in our countries or not. South Korean delegate reported they did not have sign language interpretation on TV news at the time of the ferry capsizing and deaf people could not get information. I asked every participating country, as requested by Korean delegate, about the situation of services on TV news in a time of emergency or disaster. Most countries do not have information security for deaf people in an emergency. We shared this common challenge and agreed WFD-WASLI Statement is helpful when we negotiate with authorities.

Workshop (August 26, 11:00 – 12:30) Since the 4th Meeting, we hold workshops to learn together as well as information exchanges. This time, we asked Nigel, North America Representative, to facilitate it. We had IS/English interpretation yesterday, but interpreters should not work so hard every day. So, we decided to try to understand written English on

PPT and Nigel’s plain IS. The theme of the workshop was “Deaf World, Hearing World, Interpreter, Diversity.”

We learned wide variety of things such as the differences between the history and culture of deaf world and hearing world, the importance of interpreter’s role not only to translate apparent “words” but to convey what it means, the influence of ideology of each country for its definition of “deaf”, and the origin of deaf identity. We were all “eyes”.

Financial Support for Asian Interpreters Two Japanese associations of interpreters, NRASLI and JASLI, has been providing financial support for participating countries based on the submission of recommendation letter from the national deaf association, to show interpreters are working together with them. This year, we provided funding to 5 countries. We were so glad to get messages from them like “We thank Japanese interpreters so much!” and “I was able to come here because of Japanese support.”

WASLI-Asia Meeting (August 27, 10:30 – 15:00) We had 36 participants from 11 countries including observers.

National delegates had seats around the table. I was so happy that we got the largest-ever number of participants!

Our agenda was: 1. Country report and information exchange, 2. Networking in Asia and 3. Selection of the next WASLI Asia Representative. Firstly, we voted Punjabi (India) and Naty (Philippines) into the chair, and elected Pinky (Indonesia) as clerical.

Delegates from each country reported any addition and updates based on the answers of questionnaire filled in and submitted in advance. This way we knew how things are going in various Asian countries. My planning was to exchange views on those reports, but we couldn’t due to time constraints. It remains to be talked.

It was decided to develop the networking on Facebook to transfer information regarding WASLI-Asia freely. But I am nottechnology-savvy, so I entrusted this to Monica (India) and Naty (Philippines). You will see a flurry of information in Asian sky soon.

Read full report here: Report on 6th WASLI-Asia Meeting

Opportunities in Fiji

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The Australian Sign Language Interpreter Association (ASLIA) has a Creating Opportunities Fund (COF) which has two functions: to support interpreters in developing nations in the Australasia and Oceania Region, and to fundraise to support this initiative. In April/May this year, ASLIA’s COF, in partnership with the Sign Language Interpreter Association of New Zealand (SLIANZ), hosted a 6-day Interpreter Training Intensive in Suva, Fiji. Zane Hema was selected to be the Trainer, and Claudette Wilson from Fiji was selected as the Trainer Assistant.

Thanks to the coordination of SLIANZ’s Angela Murray, funding from a Christian aid and development agency was provided for two interpreters from the Solomon Islands to attend. One interpreter from Tuvalu also attended, making this a truly international training for the Australasia/Oceania Region!

This training was strongly supported by the Fiji Association of the Deaf, the only Deaf society currently running in the Pacific. The Fijian Sign Language (FJSL) Interpreter Committee prepared for the training by running professional development sessions leading up to the training.

As there is a large cohort of interpreters in Fiji, the training was broken in to two parts. The initial four days was a general look at interpreting and language where Zane put sign language ‘under the microscope’ to demonstrate that it is a visual and spatial language.

The 30 participants found this analysis truly enlightening. The final two days were reserved for 17 of Fiji’s most experienced interpreters, and delved more deeply into interpreting theoretical frameworks.

Feedback from the COF training was resoundingly positive, with many of the participants expressing a desire for more interpreter training in the Pacific region. A lack of interpreter training is a challenge all throughout the Pacific. This has a negative effect on interpreters who often find it difficult to be recognised as a ‘professional’ without a formal certification. WASLI Australasia/Oceania members will continue to work together to access interpreter training whenever it is available.

“The interpreter training programme couldn't have come at a better time, it was a welcomed refreshing take on the interpreting profession here in Fiji. Never have I seen all the Fiji interpreters get along so well with one another. Not only was the training an eye opening experience for most of us, it has brought about unity and cohesiveness within the profession. Looking forward to BIGGER, BETTER, AND A BRIGHTER FUTURE!” Celesiga Drauna, Fijian Interpreter and training participant.

Interpreting in Pakistan Aqeel Ur Rehman Hameed with Amos Ibn Ibrahim

Sign language interpreters are, despite conventional understanding, a bridge between two cultures—the Deaf and the hearing—and not solely interpreters for the Deaf. Highly qualified interpreters are those who have gained mastery over two or more languages—both sign language and spoken language or one sign language to another (i.e. Pakistani Sign Language, PSL, to American Sign Language, ASL). To be considered highly qualified, it takes more than language proficiency in two languages; one must possess the ability and training to seamlessly interpret between two languages, which requires a deep understanding of linguistics and culture. In Pakistan there is a lack of PSL interpreters due to the following two reasons:

1. There are no governmental regulations requiring courts, medical practitioners and educational institutions to provide interpreters; and 2. No college or vocational training programs exist to educate new interpreters.

There is no qualification requirement and no governmental involvement in regulating the requirements for courts, hospitals and educational institutions to provide interpreters. As a result of this, there is little, if any, incentive for hearing persons to become professional interpreters.

In the U.S., and many other countries, interpreters are provided by the state. However, in Pakistan, Deaf persons must find their own interpreter. Many cannot afford to hire interpreters, and hence become dependent on family members (often without even the most basic sign language training) to “help out.” As a result, most Deaf Pakistanis have little to no experience using an interpreter; many are under the erroneous assumption that any hearing person who “can sign” is an interpreter, and in these “signers” Deaf persons place their trust. This misplaced trust leads to communication complications that can easily lead to ruinous results. Deaf Pakistanis depending on quasi-interpreters in legal situations may find themselves in jail, or worse. For example, a Deaf person in a medical situation may find themself avoiding procedures that they may have otherwise elected, simply because they are not privy to the information that the doctors are trying to convey. The same occurs with hearing lawyers, police officers, and magistrates. Though the above is a worst-case-scenario, this does not begin to address the educational inequalities Deaf Pakistanis face due to a lack of qualified interpreters. How do Deaf people attend college without an interpreter qualified to provide access to lectures?

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there are no institutions at which one can receive training to reach the expected level of mastery. Though there are some private institutions offering short term survey courses in sign language, these courses do not offer training, either theoretical or practical, on the process of interpretation and, thus, are not sufficient to train interpreters in real-world interpreting applications. As mentioned above, interpreting is vastly different from knowing two languages. Sadly, in Pakistan, many Deaf people find themselves depending on unqualified interpreters who do not even have basic knowledge of each language. The result is a marginalised segment of Pakistani society, wholly dependent on the charity of others and not, as many Deaf communities in other countries, an independent, educated, and liberated part of their communities.

And so we, the Pakistani Deaf and their allies, we are left with the seemingly insurmountable question: What can be done to change this situation in order to ensure that all stakeholders are provided adequate interpreting services that enable Deaf and Hearing in Pakistan?

Jack Rides for WASLI Jack Callon A bicycle ride of 850kms (530 miles). What's that all about?

I had dreamt for some time about doing a long distance bike ride. I thought it might have been in France, but it turned out to be in Thailand. In eight days of riding, I covered the 850kms (530 miles) from Bangkok to Phuket, with the shortest day being 67km (the first day) and the longest 146km.

At the time, I had forgotten that many years ago I had cycled solo about 700km from Picton to Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand over several days, staying with friends en route. On that occasion, I had two saddle bags with all my gear and a relatively new 10 speed bike. It was a fairly deserted route, for the most part.

This time it was different. I was part of an organised group, riding proper road bikes, with a tour leader and a support van to carry our luggage and keep us supplied with water, energy drinks, fruit and other food during the day. We stopped for lunch every day at little Thai restaurants (obviously!), and nights were spent, for the most part, in 4 star resorts or hotels.

The month of March in Thailand is the second hottest month of the year, with daytime temperatures around 34C (90F). Add in the effect of humidity, and it felt like 44C (111F). I didn't know at the time, but those temperatures can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Continuing activity could result in heat stroke, so extreme caution is required.

I have to salute our support crew for keeping us safe, by regular stops for rehydration drinks and energy food. It surprised us all that

we would ride all day, consuming vast amounts of liquid on the bike, at rest stops and at lunch, and never need to go to the toilet. All the liquid was sweated out!

So this was my ride; this was my dream. But I decided to share it in order to raise donations for WASLI's sponsorship fund to assist interpreters from developing countries to attend the WASLI 2015 conference in Istanbul, Turkey. I am pleased that a number of people responded to the requests for donatation that went out via email and WASLI's Facebook page. I believe about US$800 was raised. (Much more is required and you can still donate at www.wasli.com/donation) Our route took us away from the main roads for much of the ride, but the standard of roads for bike riding was very good on the whole (even on the busy highways).

We passed salt flats on the edge of the Gulf to the west of Bangkok, crossed many rivers providing haven for the fishing boats that spent the nights at sea, looked at spectacular deserted beaches and wondered how long it would be until this was all resort-land. At Hua Hin, we saw four vessels of the Thai Navy offshore, providing security for the King who resides in a palace there.

Little villages came and went from view, but there were some places where the roads were lonely and other times when we shared the main highway towards Phuket. Two significant hills were a challenge - not so much for their steepness, but the fact that pedalling slowed and sweat increased on the upside. But, then there was the joy of the downhill stretch.

A view of Myanmar across the river at the Isthmus of Kra was simply a view of more jungle, while the stranded fishing boats, the cemetery and memorial near Khao Lak were moving reminders of the devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day, 2004.

As the trip wore on, we became preoccupied with the heat, and with pain in our legs, backs, butts and/or hands. But those memories

have really faded now, and I am left with the satisfaction of having had a dream, acted upon it, set the goal and achieved it, and helped some others along the way.

For more information and the journal entries.

Linguistic Rights of the Deaf Moscow

From 20-22 May in the city of Moscow, Russia, the 2nd International Scientific and Practical Conference "Linguistic Rights of the Deaf,� was held. The conference was organised by the AllRussian Society of the Deaf (VOG) under the support of the World Federation of the Deaf. The aim of the conference was to raise public and government awareness of the human rights issues of Deaf people in Russia, and the world at large. Attention was drawn to the way in which sign language can be recognised and utilised in official domains. Another aim of the conference was to increase the status and working conditions for professional sign language interpreters.

WASLI was represented by Debra Russell, WASLI President, and Igor Bondarenko, WASLI regional representative in Transcaucasia and Central Asia.

The conference was attended by over 350 participants from more than 15 countries around the world, who had the opportunity to listen to 64 presentations in plenary sessions and in the sections by 60 presenters.

Throughout our time in Moscow and during conference, we were able to more thoroughly acquaint ourselves with features and difficulties of local sign language interpreters, as well as the impressive achievements and future plans of Russian Interpreters' Association, which we hope will soon become a national WASLI member.

WASLI 2015 Conference Update Hello WASLI The WASLI 2015 Conference Committee is busy preparing for an exciting conference in July 2015. Here are some updates and reminders: Early Registration ends 30 Nov 2014. Registration is not complete until payment is received. Thank you Pre-Conference presenters have been selected. To view the schedule see the conference website.

WASLI 2015 The main presenters have been selected and will be announced December 2014.

We look forward to seeing you in July!

conference website

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IMPORTANT The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters. The Editor, together with the WASLI Executive Board and external contributors, produce the WASLI newsletter. WASLI will work to ensure the authenticity of any information provided. We reserve the right to edit all submissions that are published. WASLI accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed. Readers are invited to reproduce information provided the source is quoted. Readers should contact secretary@wasli.org for permission to use WASLI official photographs, or to advise of a change of email address.

WASLI EXECUTIVE BOARD Officers: Deb Russell (President); JosĂŠ Luis Brieva Padilla (Vice President); Awoii Patrick Michael (Secretary); Susan Emerson (Treasurer) Regional Representatives: Sheena Walters & Anna Vost (Australasia & Oceania); Tim Tinat (Africa); Monica Punjabi and Etsuko Umemoto (Asia); Selman Hoti (Balkans); JosĂŠ Ednilson Jnr (Latino America); Nigel Howard (North America); Igor Bondarenko (Transcaucasia & Central Asia); (Europe); To be advised.

WASLI Membership: Roni Lepore WASLI Translations Coordinator: Jordi Ferri (plus volunteers) Newsletter Editor: Angela Murray Assistant Editor: Patrick Galasso Newsletter proofreaders: Awoii Patrick Micheal- Nigeria, Sara Romes- USA

Copyright Š 2014 World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI), All rights reserved.

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