Webinar by Dr Gabrielle Hodge: Revisiting transmodal translation research to support existing interpreting practices

Transmodal translation practices – whereby written or spoken language source texts are translated into visual signed language target texts – are developing quickly to improve access to information for deaf signers. However, the quality of signed language translations available can vary widely.

In Australia, there was increasing community concern regarding the efficacy of transmodal translations from English into Auslan, especially in the absence of any assessment or discussion of best practices. In response to these concerns, focus group discussions were conducted with 24 deaf consumers and 21 deaf and hearing translation practitioners in five cities (Hodge, Goswell, Whynot, Linder & Clark, 2015). A key finding was that despite the appearance of providing access for deaf signers, the significant and competing pressures involved in creating transmodal translations often resulted in texts that may perpetuate disadvantage for some signers. Many of these pressures are common to simultaneous interpreting contexts.

In this webinar, I will outline the key elements of existing translations that were problematic for many deaf audiences, to illuminate what makes an act of translation from English into Auslan effective for signers who need these translations the most. We will then discuss how this research may apply to BSL translation and interpreting practices via an interactive Q&A session.

Hodge, G., Goswell, D., Whynot, L., Linder, S. & C. Clark. (2015). ‘What standards? Developing evidence-based Auslan translation standards and production guidelines’. Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Sydney. https://bit.ly/2N5ww0X