Answer to questions (in written English)

Below are the answers to questions in written English

1. Your presentation introduces many countries and cities, according to you, which country/city has the best/most developed sign language interpretation training, testing, and accreditation system?

In our study, we noted the importance of governmental commitments to the development of SL interpretation as a profession. In this light, we would say that Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand systems are better in SI training, testing, and accreditation systems. Financial support from governments not only upholds the linguistic rights of deaf people but also guarantees a relatively stable career path for people graduating from professional training programs. The higher the level of training, the more time, and financial resources (i.e., tuition fees) are needed on the part of the students. If there is little prospect for a long-term career, it would be unrealistic to set up an accredited training program in tertiary institutes and expect individuals to enroll.

2. In sign interpretation training programs, should Manually Coded Chinese (MCC) be the focus instead of HKSL since it is easier for the hearing?
No, Manually Coded Chinese (MCC) should not be the focus of Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL) in sign interpretation training programs. This is because HKSL is a natural sign language with its own grammar and syntax, while MCC is a manually coded system that is based on spoken Chinese and does not have the same linguistic complexity as HKSL. HKSL is the primary language used by the Deaf community in Hong Kong, and it is important for sign language interpreters to be proficient in this language in order to effectively communicate with Deaf individuals (Chan, 2023).

Additionally, there are concerns that the emphasis on spoken language in education and society may lead to the decline of sign language use in Hong Kong (Leung & Cheng, 2018).

Therefore, it is important to prioritize the teaching and use of HKSL in sign interpretation training programs to support the Deaf community and preserve the use of sign language in Hong Kong.

References

Chan, Y. H. (2023). Orientation to the sociolinguistic contexts of Deaf and hearing people in Hong Kong. In Y. H. Chan (Ed.) A Deaf Take on Non-Equivalence in Written Chinese Translation. Routledge.

Leung, J., Shiu, S., & Cheng, K. (2018, May 20). Will emphasis on speaking and hearing lead to the demise of sign language in Hong Kong? HKFP. https://hongkongfp.com/2018/05/20/will-emphasis-speaking-hearing-lead-demise-sign-language-hong-kong/

Li, J., He, J., & Tang, G. (2019).  Investigating sign languages in the Chinese context. In C-R. Huang, J-S. Zhuo, & B. Meisterernst (Eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Applied Linguistics. Routledge.

3. In what ways can governments and organizations overcome existing barriers and collaborate effectively to develop a comprehensive and sustainable sign language interpretation program?

Developing a comprehensive and sustainable sign language interpretation program requires collaboration between governments and organizations, as well as a commitment to overcoming existing barriers. Here are ways they can work together effectively:

Establish Clear Policies and Regulations: Governments can create and enforce legislation and regulations that mandate the provision of sign language interpretation services in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and legal settings.

Funding and Resources: Governments should allocate adequate funding to support sign language interpretation programs. Organizations can work with government agencies to secure resources and grants for training, equipment, and services.

Collaborative Training Programs: Develop joint training programs for interpreters that meet industry standards. These programs should include training in both sign language skills and interpretation techniques.

Certification and Standards: Establish national certification and quality standards for sign language interpreters. Governments and organizations should work together to ensure that interpreters meet these standards.

Interpreting Agencies: Create or support interpreting agencies that coordinate interpreter services, manage interpreter databases, and ensure that qualified interpreters are available in various regions.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Collaborate on awareness campaigns to educate the public, businesses, and service providers about the importance of sign language interpretation and the rights of deaf individuals.

Data Collection and Research: Collect data on the demand for sign language interpretation services in different settings. Research can help identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Accessibility and Technology: Invest in technologies that enhance access to sign language interpretation, such as video relay services (VRS) and real-time captioning. Organizations and governments can work together to implement and improve these services.

Inclusive Policies: Promote inclusive policies that ensure that sign language interpretation is available for all deaf individuals, including those from marginalized communities.

Evaluation and Feedback: Establish mechanisms for ongoing evaluation of sign language interpretation programs and collect feedback from both interpreters and the deaf community to make necessary improvements.

Collaboration with Deaf Organizations: Work closely with deaf organizations and involve them in program development and evaluation to ensure the programs meet the needs of the community they serve.

Continuous Training and Professional Development: Support ongoing training and professional development opportunities for interpreters to ensure they remain up-to-date with best practices and changing communication needs.

Community Engagement: Engage with the deaf community to gather insights, preferences, and feedback on interpretation services. Their involvement is critical to program success.

Legal Support: Provide legal support for the rights of deaf individuals to access sign language interpretation services and ensure that these rights are upheld.

By collaborating effectively, governments and organizations can develop a sustainable and comprehensive sign language interpretation program that not only meets the needs of the deaf community but also aligns with legal and ethical standards for accessibility and inclusion.

[Author]

Posts