Sign (language) interpreting in Flanders, Belgium

Herreweghe, Mieke van Nuffel, M. van

Babel 1999 45 (4)318-344
(ReLIS:jul:oibfdn:y:1999:v:45:i:4:p:318-344)

Abstract:

In this article the authors give an overview of sign language interpretation in Flanders, Belgium. After a short introduction on Flanders and its linguistic situation, the authors spend sorne time discussing sign language in Flanders from a historical perspective and discussing its current situation and especially outside influeaces on Flemish-Belgian Sign Language. The next chapter coaceatrates on the traiaiag of siga language iaterpreters. There are two traiaiag programmes in Haaders, both eveaiag courses at post-secondary higher education level. Both programmes are relatively new aud are thus facing a aumber of problems still. Both programmes are moviag away from teaching Sigaed Dutch to teachiag Flemjsh-Belgiaa Siga Laaguage, but do aot have pedagogically or methodologically trained teachers (whether heariag or Deaf), do aot have sufficient materials to work with aud can oaly rely on the limited amouat of siga language research that has been done in Flanders duriag the last decade. Aaother problem coacems the choice of the sigas themselves (regional sigas or 'unified' sigas?). Nevertheless, both programmes are attractiag more aud more studeats. la the last chapter the authors coaceatrate on the field of siga language iaterpretiag in Flaaders. Atteatioa is paid to the developmeat of the professioa of siga language iaterpretiag, the central iaterpretiag agency the profile of thc siga language interpreter in Flanders, the language of the iaterpreter, the financial situation and their workiag coaditioas. Finally, the authors briefly focus on the issue fronm the deaf coasumer's poiat of view

Keywords: Signos ; Interpretación ; Traducción ; Enseñanza ; Formación profesional ; Bélgica
Pages: 318-344
Volume: 45
Year: 1999
Issue: 4

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