Representation and diversity in the sign language translation and interpreting profession in the United Kingdom

Jemina  Napier; Robert  Skinner; Robert  Adam; Christopher Stone; Sandra Pratt; Daniel P Hinton; Chijioke Obasi

doi:10.1177/27523810221127596

Representation and diversity in the sign language translation and interpreting profession in the United Kingdom

Jemina Napier, Robert Skinner, Robert Adam, Christopher Stone, Sandra Pratt, Daniel P Hinton, Chijioke Obasi

Centre for Global Learning

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

96 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a nationwide sign language translator and interpreter (SLTI) census to establish a baseline description of the United Kingdom’s SLTI workforce that was commissioned by the Association of Sign Language Interpreters UK. Complete responses were received from 690 practitioners from across the United Kingdom (43% of the potential sample). The survey responses were analysed using the SPSS statistical software, specifically to look at various intersectional characteristics concerning gender, age, sexuality, race, and ethnicity. This article provides an overview of the findings with respect to two key themes: representation and diversity in the profession, along with discussion of the profile of the SLTI profession in the United Kingdom, and recommendations for actions for key stakeholder organisations. As a first snapshot, this census functions as a baseline for future comparisons, and can be modified and improved through open dialogue with professional and community groups. This snapshot helps us to identify gaps in representation. Finally, it can also inform the planning and forecasting of recruitment needs for the workforce and highlight any education and training needs.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	119-140
Number of pages	22
Journal	Interpreting and Society
Volume	2
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/27523810221127596
Publication status	Published - 30 Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Funder

This research was funded by the Association of Sign Language Interpreters UK, with in-kind contributions from Heriot-Watt University, the University of Wolverhampton, and the University of the West of Scotland.

Funding

This research was funded by the Association of Sign Language Interpreters UK, with in-kind contributions from Heriot-Watt University, the University of Wolverhampton, and the University of the West of Scotland.

Funders	Funder number
Association of Sign Language Interpreters UK
Heriot-Watt University
University of Wolverhampton
University of the West of Scotland

Keywords

census survey
diversity
intersectionality
representation
sign language translation and interpreting

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10.1177/27523810221127596Licence: CC BY-NC

PublishedFinal published version, 228 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

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abstract = "This article reports the findings of a nationwide sign language translator and interpreter (SLTI) census to establish a baseline description of the United Kingdom{\textquoteright}s SLTI workforce that was commissioned by the Association of Sign Language Interpreters UK. Complete responses were received from 690 practitioners from across the United Kingdom (43\% of the potential sample). The survey responses were analysed using the SPSS statistical software, specifically to look at various intersectional characteristics concerning gender, age, sexuality, race, and ethnicity. This article provides an overview of the findings with respect to two key themes: representation and diversity in the profession, along with discussion of the profile of the SLTI profession in the United Kingdom, and recommendations for actions for key stakeholder organisations. As a first snapshot, this census functions as a baseline for future comparisons, and can be modified and improved through open dialogue with professional and community groups. This snapshot helps us to identify gaps in representation. Finally, it can also inform the planning and forecasting of recruitment needs for the workforce and highlight any education and training needs.",

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Representation and diversity in the sign language translation and interpreting profession in the United Kingdom

Abstract

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