Perceptions of interpreting project
Perceptions of sign language interpreting and interpreters
Project leader: Dr Jemina Napier
Collaborators: Dr Meg Rohan, University of NSW
Funding: Macquarie University Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship
The aim of the project is to assess perceptions of sign language interpreting and interpreters adopting a triangulation approach- using a combination of methodologies to test the same thing. Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, the project has been divided into three phases:
1. Survey of deaf consumers to elicit everyday experiences of working with interpreters, and identification of key themes (Complete)
2. Follow-up focus groups with: (a) deaf consumers, (b) hearing consumers, and (c) sign language interpreters; to identify further themes and provide qualitative data for thematic contrastive analysis (On-going)
Initial findings from Stage 1 show that deaf people in Australia report that they are generally happy with the standard of interpreting they are receiving. It seemed, however, that professionally qualified interpreters are those that are better understood (rather than paraprofessional or unaccredited interpreters).
Stage 2 has presented an opportunity to conduct more in depth analysis of the qualitative comments in the deaf participant diaries, and focus groups have been held with deaf people, hearing people that have used sign language interpreters and interpreters themselves. Using Appraisal Theory, a discourse analysis of focus group discussions will be conducted to evaluate attitudes towards interpreters and interpreting. Findings will provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between consumers, clients and interpreters, and notions of quality in interpreting. on completion of the project, recommendations will be made for consumers, sign language interpreting practitioners, service providers, professional associations and educators.
Publications related to the Perceptions of Interpreting project:
Napier, J., & Rohan, M. (2007). An invitation to dance: Deaf consumer perceptions of sign language interpreters and interpreting. In M. Metzger (Ed.), Translation, Sociolinguistic, and Consumer Issues in Interpreting (pp.159-203). Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.
Napier, J., Rohan, M. & Slatyer, H. (2007). Perceptions of bilingual competence compared to preferred language direction in the case of Auslan/ English interpreters. Journal of Applied Linguistics, 2(2), 185-218.
Napier, J., & Rohan, M. (in press). An invitation to dance: Deaf consumer perceptions of sign language interpreters and interpreting. In M. Metzger (Ed.), Translation, Sociolinguistic, and Consumer Issues in Interpreting (pp.159-203). Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.
Napier, J., Rohan, M. & Slatyer, H. (in press). Perceptions of bilingual competence compared to preferred language direction in the case of Auslan/ English interpreters. Journal of Applied Linguistics.
Napier, J. (2005). Consumer perceptions of interpreting. AAD Outlook: magazine of the Australian Association of the Deaf, 14(2), p.3.
Napier, J. (2005). Consumer perceptions of sign language interpreting. In J. Mole (Ed.), International Perspectives on Interpreting: Selected Proceedings from the Supporting Deaf People online conferences 2001 - 2005. [E-Book]. Direct Learn Services Ltd., UK.
Conference presentations resulting from the Perceptions of Interpreting project:
Napier, J. (2007). What are our expectations? A discourse analysis of practitioner and consumer attitudes towards signed language interpreting in the community. Paper presented at Critical Link: the 5th International conference on community interpreting, Sydney, Australia, 11-15 April 2007.
Napier, J. (2006). “I like it/him/her because…”: An exploration of practitioner and consumer attitudes towards signed language interpreting in the community. Paper to be presented to the 4th Supporting Deaf People Online Conference, 6-9 November 2006.
Napier, J. (2006). “Sometimes you just get lucky!”: What do Australian Deaf people think about interpreters? Paper to be presented at the National Conference of the Australian Association of the Deaf, Adelaide, Australia, 4-6 November 2006.
Napier, J. (2005). Consumer perceptions of sign language interpreting. Keynote presentation to the 3rd Supporting Deaf People Online Conference, 10-16 March 2005. Available online: http://www.online-conference.net/sdp3/index.htm