Translating the Deaf Self 2018
Translating the Deaf Self 2016
Research by the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at Heriot Watt University Edinburgh (Jemina Napier and Robert Skinner) with Manchester University Social Research with deaf people (SORD) (Alys Young and Rosemary Oram).
The project team members are interested in exploring real-life experiences of Deaf BSL users who use sign language interpreters and for whom this may be an everyday experience. Although there has been substantive previous research about sign language interpreting, there has been little about the perspectives of Deaf people themselves and none that has really asked what the impact might be on a Deaf person of ‘being translated’, or only known through translation.
August 2016 - This experience often leads to an asymmetry of the ‘power dynamics’ and, consequently, the opportunities available to a Deaf person in non-signing, hearing- dominated spaces. Some Deaf people’s well being may be adversely affected by the stresses created in such a situation – an area of exploration in this research project.
2017 - Our research focused on what it is like for Deaf sign language users to be known largely through translation and what the consequences might be for their wellbeing.
2018 - This project focused on how deaf people are known through translation from the perspective of deaf signers, sign language interpreters and hearing professionals, with a follow-on project where deaf-artists-in-residence explored and created visual art representations of “The Translated Deaf Self” in diverse contexts where this is encountered in every day life.Here is a summary: https://youtu.be/QKXedT6ntwA
Artist in residence: 27 applied, 4 places offered to cover East London, Essex, Manchester, Edinburgh.
My role was as a lead artist and I also covered the residencies in East London and Manchester as the other artist pulled out due to challenges with the project. Both placements provided art sessions for the community which were a safe place to share their experiences of being translated.The project culminated in 27 canvases that represent the community and how it’s people fit together like a puzzle - their cycle of life events and dilemmas and the challenges that occur when a grassroots deaf person is matched with a qualified BSL interpreter to connect with the hearing world.
Are they fully understood, or is only maybe 20% of what they say translated? Can they be empowered to interact more confidently with interpreters who are responsible for relaying their message?
My role as an artist was to bring together the experiences they shared in an abstract form.
