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#SignProfConf2027




When Your Skills Are Ahead of Your Confidence
Reflecting on Nene Ekufu’s session about identity, self-trust and the confidence gap You have prepared for the assignment. You have the qualification, the experience and the language skills. You know the subject, understand the setting and have done this kind of work before. Then the assignment begins and you freeze. A moment of uncertainty appears. Someone looks confused, asks you to repeat something or responds in a way you did not expect. Suddenly, all the knowledge you br
Stephen Ellis-Menton
2 days ago12 min read


Can AI Really Sign?
Reflecting on Dr Ben Saunders’ session about what AI research can teach us about sign language A train is cancelled, the platform changes and an announcement needs to reach everyone quickly. At a railway station, an AI-generated BSL message may be able to provide Deaf passengers with information that would otherwise only be available through spoken announcements and display screens. Now imagine a very different situation. A Deaf person is receiving a medical diagnosis, discus
Stephen Ellis-Menton
6 days ago11 min read


When Language Alone Is Not Enough
Reflecting on Dr Russell Aldersson’s session on translanguaging and community interpreting Imagine being asked to explain what has happened inside someone’s shoulder. The medical professional uses accurate terminology. The interpreter understands the words and signs. The Deaf patient is watching carefully. Technically, the information could be interpreted from one language into another. But would a signed explanation alone be the clearest way to communicate something that nob
Stephen Ellis-Menton
Aug 710 min read


Who Creates the Space for Professional Conversation?
Reflecting on The Interpreter’s Nook with Magnhild Røed Michalsen and Hilde Henrud Where do interpreters and translators go when they want to talk honestly about their work? Not necessarily to report a serious concern, complete a formal course or ask someone for a definite answer. Sometimes we simply need somewhere to discuss a decision, compare experiences, share a resource or ask whether other people are dealing with the same issue. Some professionals have strong local netw
Stephen Ellis-Menton
Aug 49 min read


What Part of You Comes to Work?
Reflecting on Kate Shearer’s opening keynote at The Together Conference 2026 When we prepare for interpreting or translation work, we usually think about the subject, the language, the people involved and the practical arrangements. We might research terminology, review background information, check the technology, consider possible challenges and make sure we understand what is expected of us. But how often do we prepare for the person we ourselves will be when the work begi
Stephen Ellis-Menton
Jul 318 min read


Pick It Up, Pass It On: Reflecting on The Together Conference 2026
The final session may have ended, the recordings may have closed and the certificates may have been sent, but the conversations from The Together Conference 2026 are far from finished. This year’s theme, Pick It Up, Pass It On, began with a simple idea. None of us becomes the professional we are alone. We learn from tutors, colleagues, Deaf communities, research, experience, mistakes, feedback and the people who have supported us along the way. We then pass those things on, s
Stephen Ellis-Menton
Jul 2711 min read


CPD and CEUs at Together Conference 2025: What You Need to Know
CPD and CEUs at Together Conference 2025: What You Need to Know If you're joining us at The Together Conference 2025, there’s good news:...
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May 16, 20253 min read


A Digital Bridge for Sign Language Interpreters” led by Laura Lesmana Wijaya and Ailing Xiao.
Deaf interpreters have long relied on human support—whether feed interpreters or live captioners—to carry out their work effectively,...
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Apr 10, 20252 min read


Unified Interpreting: Enhancing Collaboration Between Deaf and Hearing Professionals
At the heart of high-quality interpreting lies effective collaboration. The dynamic between Deaf and hearing interpreters is more than...
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Mar 10, 20253 min read


Crisis Communication & Visibility: The Pandemic’s Impact on Sign Language Interpreters
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in countless ways, and for sign language interpreters, it was a time of unprecedented...
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Feb 7, 20252 min read


Navigating New Interpreting Domains with Confidence: A Panel Discussion for Trainees
Every sign language interpreter faces a pivotal moment in their career—the transition into new, specialised domains such as legal,...
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Feb 4, 20253 min read


Working Between Worlds: The Complexities of Interpreting Across Cultures with Brett Best
For sign language interpreters, working between languages is only part of the challenge. Culture plays an equally significant role,...
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Feb 4, 20252 min read


Blurring Boundaries: Rethinking Ethics in the On-Demand Interpreting Space.
The shift to on-demand and online interpreting has transformed the profession, making interpreters more accessible than ever before. The...
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Feb 1, 20253 min read


Looking Back: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Practice in Sign Language Interpreting – Insights from Anja Saft at The Together Conference 2024
The sign language interpreting profession is evolving, with growing emphasis on professionalisation, academic research, and...
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Jan 23, 20254 min read


Navigating Mental Health Act Assessments – Insights from Jemina Napier’s Research
Introduction At The Together Conference 2024 , Professor Jemina Napier delivered a compelling session on the role of sign language...
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Jan 3, 20254 min read


Why Attend an Online Conference? The Benefits of The Together Conference 2025
The world of professional development has changed dramatically in recent years, and one of the most significant shifts has been the rise...
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Jan 1, 20254 min read


Welcome to The Together Conference Blog – Your Hub for Insights, Learning, and Connection
Welcome to the official Together Conference Blog ! Whether you are a seasoned professional, an emerging translator, or simply someone...
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Apr 30, 20242 min read
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