5. Where do you get the research information? Mongolian Government do not support the any sign language interpretation service.

Our discussions are based on published studies, online information, questionnaire findings as well as individual interviews.

We did not state that there is no support from the Mongolian Government regarding SI services. Instead, we mentioned that there is an association funded by the government, which provides free SI services. Please find the relevant slide we used below for your reference.

4. What steps can we take to raise awareness about the importance of including deaf interpreters and advocate for their presence in various settings?

Here are some steps we can take to achieve this goal:

Education and Training: Offer workshops, seminars, and training sessions to educate organizations, professionals, and the general public about the role and significance of deaf interpreters.

Collaboration: Partner with organizations, deaf advocacy groups, and interpreters’ associations to collectively advocate for the inclusion of deaf interpreters in various settings.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Create awareness campaigns through social media, blogs, articles, and public events that highlight the contributions and expertise of deaf interpreters.

Testimonials and Success Stories: Share real-life success stories and testimonials from deaf individuals who have benefited from the support of deaf interpreters in diverse settings.

Policy Advocacy: Engage in advocacy efforts to influence policies and regulations that promote the use of deaf interpreters.

Professional Development: Encourage the professional development and certification of deaf interpreters, which can lend credibility and expertise to their work.

Collaborate with Interpreting Agencies: Work with interpreting agencies to promote the use of both hearing and deaf interpreters, as needed, and ensure that clients are aware of their options.

Community Engagement: Engage with the deaf community to understand their needs and preferences and involve them in awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts.

Cultural Competence: Promote cultural competence and sensitivity in interpreting services by highlighting how deaf interpreters can bridge cultural and linguistic gaps.

Demonstrate Benefits: Showcase the added value that deaf interpreters bring to the table, including their ability to convey nuances and cultural insights that hearing interpreters may not capture.

Legislation and Inclusion: Advocate for legislation that mandates the inclusion of deaf interpreters in specific situations where their expertise is crucial.

Research and Data: Support and conduct research on the effectiveness of deaf interpreters in various settings and use this data to bolster our advocacy efforts.

Collaborate with Allies: Seek support from allies, such as disability rights organizations, civil rights groups, and other advocates for equitable access.

Regular Awareness Events: Organize regular events, workshops, or conferences focused on the importance of deaf interpreters to keep the issue in the public eye.

3. Hong Kong has yet to legislate Hong Kong Sign Language as one of the official languages of the region. This lack of recognition definitely impacts the establishment of sign language interpretation services and the public’s understanding of it. In my opinion, establishing a thorough system of sign language interpretation training and provision would be easier if the government is willing to acknowledge HKSL, so what challenges is Hong Kong facing in terms of recognizing HKSL?

Here are some of the challenges that Hong Kong is facing in terms of recognizing HKSL:

Attitudes of Hong Kong citizens: Gan (2019) conducted a pilot study investigating the attitudes of Hong Kong citizens towards the official recognition of HKSL. The study found that while most respondents agreed that HKSL should be recognized as an official language, there were concerns about the practicality of implementing it.

Knowledge of deaf people: Another factor that affects the recognition of HKSL is the knowledge of deaf people. The same study cited above found that deaf interviewees supported the recognition of HKSL as an official language, but they also expressed concerns about the lack of understanding of sign language among the general public.

Reference

Gan, L. E. (2019). Attitudes Towards the Official Recognition of Hong Kong Sign Language by Hong Kong Citizens. Retrieved October 28, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331791558_Attitudes_Towards_the_Official_Recognition_of_Hong_Kong_Sign_Language_by_Hong_Kong_Citizens

2. It appears that certain countries and cities lack legislation regarding sign interpretation provision in medical or legal settings. As a result, interpreters with informal training will have to handle these aforementioned settings. What are the key challenges faced by sign language interpreters in medical and legal settings, and how can these challenges be overcome to ensure accurate communication with deaf patients/defendants?

Sign language interpreters who work in medical and legal settings face unique challenges due to the specialized nature of these environments. The best way to improve the accuracy of interpretation is certainly to establish a well-researched and well-implemented accreditation system.

Challenges in Medical Settings

Complex Terminology: Medical terminology can be highly technical and complex. Interpreters may struggle to convey precise meanings, which can be critical in healthcare.

Solution: Interpreters need specialized training in medical terminology and familiarity with common medical procedures. Collaboration with healthcare professionals to create a glossary of key terms can be helpful.

Patient Privacy: Medical situations often involve sensitive and private information. Maintaining patient confidentiality is crucial. Interpreters need to be trained to uphold it and there should be an accreditation system to penalize interpreters for breaches of confidentiality.

Emotional and Stressful Situations: Medical settings can be emotionally charged and stressful, particularly in emergencies or delivering difficult news.

Solution: Interpreters require training to effectively manage emotional situations and stress. Additionally, they should be informed about available resources for their emotional support, such as professional counseling organizations. Encouraging them to seek support within the interpreter community, while ensuring the strict confidentiality of their clients, is also beneficial.

Challenges in Legal Settings:

Legal Jargon: Legal proceedings involve extensive legal terminology and complex language that interpreters must accurately convey.

Solution: Interpreters in legal settings should receive training in legal terminology and procedures. Access to legal dictionaries and resources can aid in understanding the language.

Solution: Encourage the use of other forms of communication according to the deaf clients’ needs to improve the accuracy of interpretation. This is because not all deaf clients are fluent in signing, some of them have higher proficiency in reading, and they may be better supported with real-time speech-to-text devices/services.

Impartiality: In legal settings, interpreters must remain impartial and not show bias, even in challenging situations.

Solution: Interpreters need specific training on legal ethics and the importance of neutrality. Legal professionals can also provide guidance on maintaining impartiality.

Common Solutions for Both Settings:

Certification and Training: Interpreters should undergo formal training programs and obtain relevant certifications. These programs provide the necessary knowledge and skills for their respective fields.

Continual Professional Development: Ongoing training and professional development are crucial to staying updated on changes in terminology, ethics, and best practices in both medical and legal contexts.

Collaboration: Interpreters should collaborate closely with deaf individuals to understand their preferences and communication needs. They should also collaborate with the hearing experts such as doctors and lawyers to learn how to work effectively together as a team.

Cultural Competence: Understanding the cultural nuances and specific needs of deaf individuals is essential for effective communication.

Use of Technology: Utilize technology, such as video relay services, to facilitate communication in situations where in-person interpreters may not be available.

Advocacy: Work with relevant organizations and authorities to advocate for legislation and guidelines that mandate the use of qualified interpreters in all critical settings, including medical and legal.

1. Would like to ask about the nationally certified and prefectural district certified interpreters in Japan. What is the difference between the two certifications?

Two types of sign language interpreters in Japan

SLIs of National certification (NC)
SLIs of Prefectural district certification (PDC)

Numbers
NC: 4,075 (2023)
PDC: 5,229 (2019)
(Notes: Most of NCs are PDCs, because they first become PDCs.)

Eligibility for taking the exam
NC: Only the age (older than 20 years old)
PDC: Completion of the national curriculum[1] (113 hrs.)

Exam
NC: Written test (relevant knowledge) and practical test (Spoken Japanese to JSL and JSL to Spoken Japanese)
PDC: Written test (relevant knowledge) and practical test (Spoken Japanese to JSL and JSL to Spoken Japanese)

Exam pass rates
NC: 14.2% (1999-2023)
PDC: 10-20%
(Notes: Cf. lawyer: 20-40%; certified public accountant: 10%)

Jobs
NC: Government (national, local); center for people with hearing impairment; SI service provider; political opinion broadcast[2]; legal interpretation;
PDC: Government (national, local); community interpretation (part-time; registered at a local government)
(Notes: It is rare for both NCs and PDCs to work as full-time SLIs. NCs are usually allowed to get registered as PDCs without additional exams. More and more governments allow PDCs from other places.)

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^[1] Usually, people at the age of over 18 are allowed to join the course of the curriculum, and the course lasts 4 or 5 years.

^[2] It is a special program (TV and radio) for every candidate for an election (national/local) to talk about his/her political opinion to the public before the election. It is legally guaranteed.

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.

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.

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. (2.1) As you mention that language plays a crucial role in the theory of mind as it provides necessary support for the theory of mind itself. Are there any other studies that show whether deaf children with deaf parents perform on par with hearing children with hearing parents in terms of theory of mind?

There are several studies reporting this now. The remaining question is how relevant this group are for development of ToM in deaf of hearing parents

Johnson, L., Zenkel, M., & Haring, C. (2016). Theory of Mind in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children: A Systematic Review. https://doi.org/10.17615/8211-h116

(2.2) Specifically, do both groups develop complex theory of mind abilities at a similar age, given that they receive timely and extensive language input?

In general this is the case for false belief development but there have been fewer studies on the question of second and third order ToM in deaf samples. Most of these studies in hearing children use written stories to test this. The only study of further ToM abilities I am aware of in deaf of deaf children is this one

O’Reilly, K., Peterson, C. C., & Wellman, H. M. (2014). Sarcasm and advanced theory of mind understanding in children and adults with prelingual deafness. Developmental psychology, 50(7), 1862–1877. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036654

1. Are there any specific interventions or strategies that have been found effective in supporting the language and executive function development of deaf children?

I read the Roberts et al study and was pleased that it seems early interventions can be implemented.

Roberts M. Y. (2019). Parent-Implemented Communication Treatment for Infants and Toddlers With Hearing Loss: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, 62(1), 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-0079

We did a study on how music training might improve EFs and we had some successes especially with children with low language abilities

Mason, K., Marshall, C. R., & Morgan, G. (2021). Executive Function Training for Deaf Children: Impact of a Music Intervention. Journal of deaf studies and deaf education, 26(4), 490–500. https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/enab026

1. There are many sayings that suggest hearing parents of deaf children should learn sign language in order to provide a conducive language environment for their children. By doing so, it is believed that language delay issues can be avoided. Apparently, your presentation suggests that hearing parents should utilize their natural abilities and strongest language to aid in their children’s language development. However, is it still beneficial for parents to use sign language with their kids? If signing is still preferred, what instructions should hearing parents be given regarding sign language use when communicating with deaf children?

Signing should be part of families natural repertoire of communication strategies. At first parents could support their spoken language (their first language) with signs. This can make the intent to communicate more accessible. The goal should always be successful communication. If this works and children learn what intentional communication is the child can lead how subsequent communication should play out. If they are interacting well in sign supported communication this can continue or the parents can add more or less signs following how the child is responding. Communication should be the priority rather than specific labels (words, signs or gestures).

2. It is great to know that there are different mental health measures and screenings available in BSL. I am interested in learning more about the current provision of sign interpreters for individuals who are deaf and seeking mental health support in UK. Unfortunately, my area lacks a well-developed system to assist the deaf community in accessing interpreters when they seek mental health services.

I am not sure about other countries, but in the UK when you become a qualified BSL/English interpreter and have registered with the NRCPD body, you can work in healthcare settings. However, to interpret in mental health settings it is desirable to have a considerable experience interpreting and additional mental health training. Most NHS providers are contracted with language agencies for the provision on BSL interpreters. Additionally, each NHS provider may have their own interpreting policy that interpreters/agencies adhere to.

1. In addition to the utilization of standardized assessment tools in sign language, are there any specific cultural considerations that mental health providers should be aware of when working with the deaf community?

Culturally appropriate mental health services are vital for Deaf people, not only in linguistic terms (e.g. being accessible in their preferred sign language) but culturally too (being able to meet Deaf cultural needs). Specific cultural considerations that mental health providers should be aware of when working with deaf community would be (but are not limited to):

• Health professionals recognising that Deaf people are visual beings and have cultural values and different life experiences.
• A simple translation of information into sign language alone is insufficient to build an appropriate fund of information for Deaf people.
• Collaborating with Deaf people is the way forward to build trust with healthcare providers. This includes different aspects of healthcare such as policy, research and education, and so forth.

2. It seems that deaf health outcomes, no matter mental or physical, come from whether they receive the same equality experience. Are there any cultural factors that contribute to mental health disparities among the deaf population?

In general, health outcomes (in both physical and mental health) are poorer for Deaf people when compared to their hearing counterparts. There are many reasons, and it is complex, access to health services, education and health literacy are generally poor for Deaf people. There are numerous of cultural factors that also contribute to health inequalities for Deaf people, such as the Deaf community considering mental health difficulties as a taboo topic (Deaf people do not talk enough about mental health / health related difficulties issues). There is also a lack of trust in health services, resulting in people being less likely to come forward to seek help which can make health difficulties worse. Another example of cultural factors would be the lack of culturally appropriate instruments to measure the health status of Deaf people.

1.  May we know your thoughts on the concept of “Deaf Gain” and its relationship to mental health?

The concept of Deaf Gain is to reframe the idea that being deaf has a negative connotation (e.g. unable to hear, unable to contribute, and so forth) and to consider it in a positive light, focusing on the value of a d/Deaf person and what it is to live a life as a visual human being. It is about human diversity and recognising that different contributions are made by different people, such as visual beings (i.e. d/Deaf people). Deaf Gain is not a quantitative measurement, therefore examining its relationship to mental health (e.g. how good is the health state of one being) is not straight forward.

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