Race and ethnicity in sign language interpreter education, training and practice

Abstract

This article is based on findings from research conducted with black sign language interpreters and interpreting students in the UK. It discusses a number of issues raised by research participants reflecting on their interpreter education, training and practice and uses this to reflect on both the visibility and invisibility of race and ethnicity in the UK sign language interpreting field. Dean and Pollard’s application of demand-control theory is used to demonstrate the ways in which some of the environmental, interpersonal and intrapersonal demands faced by black interpreters can add to stress factors they experience as part of their role. This is compounded by the status of race as a ‘taboo’ subject, which when combined with the more traditional restrictions of the role of sign language interpreter can and does work to restrict the resources available to manage these situations when faced. Questionnaires, telephone interviews and in-depth interviews were carried out as part of a three stage data collection process. The analysis in the article demonstrates the ways in which black interpreters can occupy a shifting position of minority and majority group status, where our position as interpreters can be obscured by the very fact of our blackness.

Keywords:

• sign language interpreting
• black interpreters
• interpreter education
• race and interpreting

Notes

1. It is common for interpreting students to be working full-time or part-time as interpreters but undertaking restricted interpreting roles.

2. Level one (officially known as stage 1) is the elementary level qualification in British Sign Language (This does not involve any interpreting skills)

3. MRSLI (Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters) is the status awarded qualified interpreters by the registration body.

4. Level two (officially known as stage 2) is the intermediate level qualification in British Sign Language (This does not include any interpreting skills)

5. Anansi is a well known fictional character within the Caribbean and some parts of Africa, used to tell stories with a moral message.

6. Association of Sign Language Interpreters

7. The National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People

8. Level three (officially known as stage 3) is the advanced level qualification in British Sign Language (This does not involve any interpreting skills).