Topics in Signed Language Interpreting: Theory and practice(63 Benjamins Translation Library)

Interpreters who work with signed languages and those who work strictly with spoken languages share many of the same issues regarding their training, skill sets, and fundamentals of practice. Yet interpreting into and from signed languages presents unique challenges for the interpreter, who works with language that must be seen rather than heard. The contributions in this volume focus on topics of interest to both students of signed language interpreting and practitioners working in community, conference, and education settings. Signed languages dealt with include American Sign Language, Langue des Signes Québécoise and Irish Sign Language, although interpreters internationally will find the discussion in each chapter relevant to their own language context. Topics concern theoretical and practical components of the interpreter’s work, including interpreters’ approaches to language and meaning, their role on the job and in the communities within which they work, dealing with language variation and consumer preferences, and Deaf interpreters as professionals in the field.

Table of Contents:
1. Contributors; 2. Acknowledgements; 3. Part I. Introduction; 4. Introduction to the theory and practice of signed language interpreting (by Janzen, Terry); 5. Part II. Aspects of interpreting theory; 6. Towards a cognitive model of interpreting (by Wilcox, Sherman); 7. Making the effort in simultaneous interpreting: Some considerations for signed language interpreters (by Leeson, Lorraine); 8. Interpretation and language use: ASL and English (by Janzen, Terry); 9. Contact sign, transliteration and interpretation in Canada (by Malcolm, Karen); 10. Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting (by Russell, Debra); 11. Ethics and professionalism in interpreting (by Janzen, Terry); 12. Part III. Interpreting in practice; 13. The working interpreter (by Demers, Hubert); 14. Best practices in interpreting: A deaf community perspective (by Stratiy, Angela); 15. Vying with variation: Interpreting language contact, gender variation and generational difference (by Leeson, Lorraine); 16. Case studies in education: Practical application of ethics and role (by Conrad, Patricia); 17. Deaf interpreters (by Boudreault, Patrick); 18. Index

Review :
The book gives a comprehensive theoretical and practical insight into interpreting with a signed language as one of your working languages and is well worth reading. The volume Topics in Signed Language Interpreting is an excellent addition to the growing canon in translation studies that focuses on signed and spoken languages. Janzen’s text is a most welcome contribution to a literature that dates only to circa 1965 and has for most of that time been predominated by a relative handful of writers and thinkers. Not only does the book further our understanding of issues central to the study of signed language interpreting, it also includes a good number of new voices and fresh perspectives on the topic. Janzen’s volume is an important addition to what is known about signed language interpreting. Blending provocative visions of cognitive models of the task with practical wisdom of how interpreters can better acquit themselves, this book will prove invaluable to students and practitioners alike.