Trainees
(arranged in alphabetical order)
ALL / Fiji / Hong Kong / Indonesia / Japan / Sri Lanka
Deaf
BHAROTO Adhi Kusumo
Mr. Adhi Kusumo Bharoto is from Indonesia. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Mr. Adhi Kusumo Bharoto graduated from senior high school in 2005 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He has previously volunteered in teaching sign language, computer skills, and other courses to Deaf people living in rural areas and was selected vice-president of his local Deaf association in Yogyakarta from 2007-2010. In 2007, he received a scholarship from the Nippon Foundation to study and work in the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre where he has taken courses on sign linguistics, sign language teaching methods, English, Hong Kong Sign Language, as well as non-linguistic courses on Deaf culture, Deaf heritage and computer software, etc. His research interests include sign language lexicography, formational structure and sign language teaching methods. In the future, he wants to be involved in changing the medium of instruction in Indonesian Deaf schools from spoken language to sign language, and to be involved in future research projects involving Yogyakarta sign language.
CHU Kwan Ngai Kenny
Mr. Chu is from Hong Kong. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Mr. Chu graduated from the Hong Kong School for the Deaf. In 1999, he began working as a language research project assistant for Prof. Gladys Tang at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, collaborating with her on “Hong Kong Sign Language: A Trilingual Dictionary with Linguistic Descriptions”. He joined the Centre in 2003, mainly involves in Deaf children’s HKSL acquisition research, development of HKSL textbooks and teaching HKSL. He also helps researchers with various sign linguistics research projects. During this time, he also completed the first Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme, earning two higher diplomas in (1) linguistics of Hong Kong Sign Language and (2) teaching of Hong Kong Sign Language. In 2007, he was chosen to participate in the second APSL programme from 2007-2012. During the past 12 years, he has learnt a lot about sign linguistics and he believes that sign linguistics research is important in promoting the status of sign language in society and helps the development of Deaf education. In addition, he hopes that more hearing people will learn sign language and be able to assist Deaf people who need interpretation.
FURUKAWA Kaori
Ms. Kaori Furukawa is from Japan. She joined the APSL program in 2010. She has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Kaori Furukawa is from Japan. She graduated from two universities, Nagano University, where she studied education and social welfare, and Gunma University, where she majored in the special needs education. She has written a graduation thesis called “Identity as the Deaf Person.” This thesis has led her to understand the current state of the deaf education in Japan. Japan deaf education mainly focuses on oral-education. Therefore verbal language education is more deeply-rooted than sign language. This affects Deaf students’ communication ability and their Japanese proficiency. As of now, no evidence has shown that Japan has considered Japan Sign Language as a language. Therefore, she has come to The Chinese University of Hong Kong to study sigh linguistic and make a sign language dictionary. She wants to develop the sign language dictionary and make it available for teaching as soon as possible. Her goal is not to limit herself to Japan deaf education but to contribute to the development of deaf education throughout Asia.
IKEDA Masumi
Ms. Masumi Ikeda is from Japan. She joined the APSL program in 2010. She has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Ms. Masumi Ikeda graduated from the Matsuyama School for the Deaf. She worked in life insurance before she began to teach sign language in 2009. In 2010, she learned about the APSL program from the Nippon Foundation and the Japanese Federation of the Deaf. Currently, she is participating in APSL program which gives her the opportunity to learn how to plan and conduct sign language research. She enjoys being a part of this project very much. She is now learning basic computer skills, which relates to the production of sign language dictionaries. She hopes that her work will help deaf children and their parents, as well as people who want to learn sign language in the future.
IMAI Mika
Ms. Mika Imai is from Japa. She joined the APSL program in 2011. She is now studying for three diplomas in the APSL program.
Mika Imai is from Gunma, Japan. She was born in a Deaf family and studied at a Deaf primary school in Gunma. Later on, she went to Wako University, majoring in transcultural studies.
She took transcutural study because she was aware that there are only a few Deaf movies, and she wanted to increase the production of Deaf movies. She worked on a movie project about the use of natural sign language by Deaf children. This movie was made to gain awareness about sign language. The movie shows that sign language is a language, just like spoken language. Through this movie, both hearing and Deaf people were expected to accept and know the importance of sign language.
Mika came to Hong Kong and joined APSL program in June 2011. She is very excited to join the program. After receiving training in sign linguistic and Deaf studies at CSLDS, Mika hopes to teach and give training to people in the media industry about the importance of sign language for Deaf people and that Deaf people are communicators who have their own culture.
ISOBE Daigo
Mr. Diago Isobe is from Japan. He joined the APSL program in 2010. He has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Mr. Daigo Isobe is an advance level graduate of School for the Deaf at University of Tsukuba. After he had graduated in 1982, he became a sign language lecturer and also worked as a medical treatment clerical officer for 29 years in many different places. For the past five years, he was in charge of the sign language interpreter training course at the Kansai Sign Language College. In November 2010, he started his training in the Asia Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Programme. His goal is to establish sign linguistic studies in Japan, improve the situations of deaf people throughout Asia, as well as contribute to the development of sigh language research through the study of sign linguistics.
KANAKKAHEWA Pubodha Sarani
Ms. Pubodha Sarani Kanakkahewa is from Sri Lanka. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed three diplomas in the APSL program. She now focuses on dictionary and teaching materials production with the other Sri Lankan trainees in APSL.
Ms. Pubodha Sarani Kanakkahewa graduated from Rohana Special School, Matara, Sri Lanka. She is a member of the Central Federation of the Deaf Association in Sri Lanka and The Deaf Association in Matara. After her O/Level exams in 2007, she was chosen to be a student in the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre. In 2009, she earned a diploma from the APSL programme, taking courses in sign linguistics, English, computer skills, etc. In addition to her studies, she will continue to work on sign linguistics research until 2012. Recently, she interviewed Deaf people in Sri Lanka to gather linguistic data for making a Sri Lanka sign language dictionary, which she is working on with other Deaf researchers at the Centre. Her research interests include variation in sign language phonology and sign language dictionary production. In the future, she would like to help the Deaf in Sri Lanka by teaching Sri Lanka sign language to Deaf and hearing people.
KODITHUWAKKU KORALEGE Brayan Susantha
Mr. Kodithuwakku Koraralege Brayan Susantha is from Sri Lanka. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Mr. Kodithuwakku Koraralege Brayan Susantha was born Deaf in a hearing family. He attended Rohana School for the Blind and Deaf in Matara where he learned sign language from Deaf adults. In 2007, he was chosen to participate in the Nippon Foundation-sponsored Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre. He received a diploma for his training in sign linguistics, computer skills and English in 2009 and is now studying for the higher diploma programme (2009-2012). He is also working as a language research project assistant and is responsible for materials production and sign language data collection and analysis. His research interests include various sign linguistics topics, with special interest in sign lexicography and Deaf history. In the future, he hopes to return to Sri Lanka and works on sign linguistics research. He also hopes to help Deaf people in Sri Lanka improve their independent life skills and stability, and to train teachers and parents of Deaf children in sign language and Deaf culture.
LO Chun Yi Connie
Ms. Lo is from Hong Kong. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Ms. Lo graduated from the Hong Kong School for the Deaf. Then, she earned the Associate of Arts Degree in the discipline of New Media from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California. She is currently a language research project assistant and a student of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Programme. She has learned a lot on sign linguistics research and Deaf education in the programme. Her research interests include sign language morphology, syntax, Deaf history, Deaf education, and sign language and society. In the future, she hopes to give a hand in developing the Deaf community in the areas of Deaf education, Deaf services and rights. She would also like to work towards a greater recognition of Hong Kong Sign Language in the society.
LO Sui Wah Lisa
Ms. Lo is from Hong Kong. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Ms. Lo graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 3D Animation Visual Effects in 2004. She had one-year teaching experience at the Lutheran School for the Deaf. She currently works as a language research project assistant for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrolment in Deaf Education Programme. She previously taught at the partner Kindergarten and is now teaching at the partner Primary School. She is also a student of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Programme. She earned a diploma in 2009 and is now studying sign linguistics research, sign language teaching methods, Deaf Education, Deaf culture and awareness, Deaf history, etc., for the higher diploma programme.
MATARAMBA KANATTA GAMAGE Geshani Amila
Ms. Mataramba Kanatta Gamage Geshani Amila is from Sri Lanka. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Ms. Mataramba Kanatta Gamage Geshani Amila attended Sacred Heart Convent, a girls’ school in Galle and Rohana special school in Matara, Sri Lanka. After her O-level exams, she joined the SUMAGA society at Matara, where she was introduced to the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre. She joined the APSL programme in 2007 and is working as a language research project assistant. She earned a diploma in 2009, completing courses on sign language syntax, morphology, phonology, Deaf culture, computer skills, English grammar, and Hong Kong sign language. Currently, she is studying for the higher diploma programme, taking courses on sign language research, sign language teaching and English grammar, while working on a Sri Lanka sign language dictionary with 3 other Deaf researchers. In the future, She hopes to earn her BA in linguistics and teach sign language and linguistics in universities in Sri Lanka. She would also like to be involved with Sri Lankan Deaf associations and share her knowledge and experiences with other Deaf people.
MOHAMED RAMEES Mohamed Razak
Mr. Mohamed Ramees Mohammed Razak is from Sri Lanka. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed four diplomas in APSL program and is now studying for one more diploma.
Mr. Mohammed Razak was born Deaf in a hearing family. He studied at the Islamic Centre for the Physically Handicapped from 1996, where he prepared for his O-level exams. Since 2007, he has been working as a language research project assistant as part of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre and he completed the diploma programme in 2009. During the time here, he has received training in English, sign linguistics, sign language research, sign language teaching method, Deaf culture, computer skills and sign language dictionary production. Now, he is working on a Sri Lanka sign language dictionary, interviewing Deaf people in Sri Lanka to obtain sign data. His research interests are sign language phonology, morphology, syntax, sign language teaching method and Deaf culture. After he completes his training in 2012, he will join with the board of the Sri Lankan Association of the Deaf. He hopes to educate Deaf students in Deaf schools and hearing people about Deaf culture and sign language.
ODAKA Mayumi
Ms. Odaka Mayumi is from Japan. She joined the APSL program in 2011. She is now studying for three diplomas in the APSL program.
Mayumi Odaka graduated from the Chiba Deaf School. After her high school graduation, she worked for the municipal government in Support of People with Disabilities Division, and also in Child Welfare Department. In April 2011, she decided to come to Hong Kong to study sign linguistics and take part in the sign linguistic research and training. Currently, there are a lot of volunteer interpreters, however, Japan needs interpreters who are professionally trained. Therefore, her decision to learn sign linguistics and sign language teaching is to help train future sign language interpreters.
SATRYAWAN Iwan
Mr. Iwan Satryawan is from Indonesia. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed three diplomas in the APSL program. She now focuses on dictionary and teaching materials production with the other Sri Lankan trainees in APSL.
Mr. Iwan Satryawan graduated from the School of the Deaf in Wonosobo, Central Java (Indonesia) in 1981, and from the Fashion Design and Art Academy (Jakarta) in 1987. He is currently one of the board members of the Indonesian Association of the Welfare of the Deaf (IAWD). In 2007, he received a scholarship from Nippon Foundation, and since then he has been working as a language research project assistant at the Centre as part of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme. He has received trainings in the areas of sign linguistics, HKSL, English, computer skills, Deaf culture, history and society, etc. In addition, he has also worked on sign language dictionary research, interviewing Deaf signers in Jakarta and analysing the results. He completed the diploma programme in 2009 and will finish his research in Hong Kong in 2012. In the future, he plans to continue working with the IAWD and the University of Indonesia. He hopes to teach hearing interpreters sign language and the ways to help the Deaf community. He also plans to share his experience of sign language research with other Deaf associations and give training to some Deaf schools in Indonesia.
TINAI Asinate
Ms. Tinai Asinate is from Fiji. She joined the APSL program in 2010. She has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Ms. Asinate Tinai studied at Gospel High School in Fiji for five years from 2006-2010. She is a member of the Fiji Association of the Deaf. She has experience working in the Deaf community, Fiji Women’s Deaf Committee, and Deaf workshops. She is interested in sign language research, especially involving Deaf children, Deaf students in high schools, and also home signs. She has helped Deaf high school students interpret words into signs.
In 2010, she was involved in the Deaf Awareness Week and became interested in sign language and promoting Deaf culture. She noticed that there are many differences among Deaf home signs. She feels it is important to research all the different signs in order to unify Deaf community in Fiji. She is currently working as an assistant in the Fiji Association of the Deaf. She would like to help the Deaf community by continuing to work for the association in the future.
In 2010, she began her study at the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she has taken courses on Hong Kong Sign Language, Deaf culture, English, basic computer skills, introduction to sign language research, etc. After her she finishes the programme, she will go back to Fiji and help the Deaf community by working on sign language research and Fiji sign language dictionaries. She will also teach Deaf children using the sign language dictionaries developed through her research. She believes that good education and knowledge in sign language are necessary for Deaf people.
WIJAYA Laura Lesmana
Ms. Laura Lesmana Wijaya is from Indonesia. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Ms. Laura Lesmana Wijaya studied at the Pangudi Luhur School for the Deaf until grade 1, and was transferred to St. Andrew, a hearing school in Jakarta, until grade 10. She was chosen to be a trainee in the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme in 2007. She completed the diploma programme in 2009, and is now studying for the higher diploma programme until 2012. In the APSL programme, she has learned a lot about sign linguistics research, Deaf history, Deaf culture, English, basic computer skills, and Hong Kong sign language. She is most interested in sign language phonology, but also enjoys other areas of research. She is currently working on the production of a Jakarta sign language dictionary. In the future, she would like to help Deaf people embrace their identity and culture. She wants to help the Indonesian Association of the Welfare of the Deaf, especially in Deaf Education and sign linguistics research. She also wants to change the negative attitude of hearing people towards deaf people, so that it would be easy to establish sign language interpreter association.
Her involvement in the Deaf community includes helping Deaf associations in Indonesia, as a temporary vice-president of young Deaf Indonesian Association, and improving the needs of young Deaf people, as well as participating in international Deaf events, such as the Deaf Dialogue held in 2009 and 2010.
WONG Yiu Leung Aaron
Mr. Wong is from Hong Kong. He joined the APSL program in 2010. He has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Mr. Aaron Wong grew up in a Deaf family and is a native signer. He graduated from the Hong Kong School for the Deaf, which did not support the use of sign language. Mr. Wong believes that this made it difficult for him to learn and made him unable to go on beyond high school. In 2010, he enrolled in the APSL program, where he enjoys learning about phonology, morphology, syntax, English, Deaf history and culture, etc. He feels that, because all the teachers in the APSL program use Hong Kong Sign Language to teach, he is able to learn a lot and gain more from his studies. In addition to studying in the APSL program, he is working part time at the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies doing educational video recordings in Hong Kong Sign Language for Deaf school children. In the future, Mr. Wong hopes to become a teacher and teach deaf students, although opportunities to do this are still limited in Hong Kong. In addition, he would like to do more work with his Deaf rights group, Deaf Power, and share with all deaf people what he has learned at the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies.
YU Wai Lam Brenda
Ms. Yu is from Hong Kong. She joined the APSL program in 2010. She has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Ms. Yu graduated from the Pooi To Middle School and she received a foundation diploma at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. She joined the Centre in 2003 and is currently working as a language research project assistant in the Acquisition Team. She has training in Hong Kong Sign Language Linguistics and teaching for years. Her major job duties include transcribing and analyzing Deaf children’s sign language data and teaching HKSL. She has been able to learn many new things and absorb copious amounts of knowledge by working at the Centre. In the future, she will continue her hard work in the hopes that sign language research and education will have a bright future.
Hearing
ADHIKA Irlang Suwiryo
Ms. Adhika Irlang Suwiryo is from Indonesia. She joined the APSL program in 2011. She works with the Indonesian trainees on dictionary and teaching materials production. She will apply for the MA in Linguistics programme for the 2011/12 academic year.
Ms Adhika Irlang Suwiryo graduated from the University of Indonesia. She is interested in knowing about the language acquisition of Deaf children of both Deaf parents and hearing parents in Indonesia. Now, she is working as a language research project assistant in the Asia Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Program. She is currently collaborating with Deaf colleagues and a hearing colleague from Indonesia on sign language dictionary production.
In the APSL program, Ms Suwiryo has learned about Deaf history, Deaf culture, basic computer program skills, and Hong Kong sign language. During her time working at Centre, she has also been able to interact with other Deaf and hearing colleagues from various countries, who helped to improve her signing skills and the knowledge of Deaf culture.
In the future, Ms Suwiryo hopes to contribute to the Deaf community, particularly to the Deaf community in Indonesia. She would like to collaborate with Deaf people in order to expand the use of sign language by Indonesians, both for Deaf and hearing people.
ISMA Silva Tenrisara Pertiwi
Ms. Silva Tenrisara Pertiwi Isma is from Indonesia. She joined the APSL program in 2010. She is now studying the MA in Linguistics programme specializing in the sign linguistics stream at the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, CUHK.
Ms. Isma graduated from University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia, majoring in Indonesian Linguistics. She joined the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme in 2008. Since then, she has been receiving training in sign linguistics, deaf education and Deaf culture. Since September 2010, she has been staying in Hong Kong to study for the MA Programme in Lingustics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At the same time, she is also working as a language research project assistant at the Centre as part of the APSL Programme. Her task is to collaborate with her Indonesian deaf colleagues in producing Indonesian sign language dictionaries and working on sign language data. Her research interests include sign language phonology, syntax, morphology, and Deaf studies. After finishing her study in CUHK in 2012, she will go back to her home country and continue working on sign language research, deaf studies, and deaf education with the deaf community in Indonesia.