Reflecting on Jeanette Nicholson, Liz McClounie and James Etheridge’s session about AMPED, mentorship and early-career development A newly qualified interpreter finishes their training programme with a certificate, knowledge of professional theory and a set of developing interpreting skills. Then the structure around them disappears. There is no tutor watching the next assignment, no scheduled class in which to discuss what happened and no automatic opportunity to practise th

Reflecting on Dr Robyn Dean’s research challenging the often-cited 20-minute rule Two interpreters are working together during a conference. After approximately 20 minutes, they switch roles. The timing feels familiar. Many interpreters were taught that concentration and performance begin to decline after around 20 minutes of simultaneous interpreting. The changeover is therefore treated as a way to protect quality, manage fatigue and share the workload. The same explanation

Reflecting on Adam Price and Jacqui Beckford’s session about embodiment, identity and intention in performance interpreting An interpreter stands at the side of a stage while a performance unfolds several metres away. The actors move, react to one another and use the whole space. The lighting changes, music builds and the audience responds together. The interpreter produces an accurate translation, but remains facing forwards in a fixed position. The Deaf audience must contin

Reflecting on Dr Emma Ferguson-Coleman’s session about communication with Deaf people living with dementia Content note: This article discusses dementia, changes in communication and the emotional effect on individuals, families and professionals. An interpreter is sitting with a Deaf person who has dementia. The person begins to sign, but the information does not form a clear account. The signs may refer to different periods of their life, use unfamiliar vocabulary or move b

Reflecting on Professor Jemina Napier’s research into domestic violence, Deaf and hearing families, and trauma-informed interpreting Content note: This article discusses domestic abuse, trauma, children and the professional impact of working in high-risk situations. Please read it at a time and in a way that feels manageable for you. A Deaf woman is trying to explain an experience of domestic abuse. She is distressed, the information is difficult to organise and several profe

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

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

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

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

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in countless ways, and for sign language interpreters, it was a time of unprecedented...

The shift to on-demand and online interpreting has transformed the profession, making interpreters more accessible than ever before. The...

The sign language interpreting profession is evolving, with growing emphasis on professionalisation, academic research, and...

Introduction At The Together Conference 2024 , Professor Jemina Napier delivered a compelling session on the role of sign language...