The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in countless ways, and for sign language interpreters, it was a time of unprecedented visibility. Suddenly, interpreters found themselves in the public eye, standing next to world leaders, appearing on national broadcasts, and playing a vital role in crisis communication. But what was this experience really like for the interpreters involved?
At The Together Conference 2025, Dr. Christopher Stone and Nicolas Hanquet will take a deep dive into these experiences in their session:📌 "Crisis Communication and Visibility: The Pandemic's Impact on Sign Language Interpreters."
This session will unpack the challenges of navigating increased public attention, the pressures of working in high-stakes environments, and the blurred boundaries between professional responsibilities and public perception.
Interpreters in the Spotlight: A Double-Edged Sword
Before the pandemic, sign language interpreters often worked behind the scenes, essential but unnoticed by the wider public. That changed overnight. Governments worldwide recognised the need for accessible public health information, and interpreters were thrust onto live broadcasts, ensuring Deaf communities had real-time access to critical updates.
With this newfound visibility came:
✅ Increased recognition & appreciation of sign language interpreters’ vital role
✅ High-pressure working conditions, delivering live crisis communication
✅ Media scrutiny & public feedback, both positive and negative
✅ Blurred professional boundaries, as interpreters became public figures
Through their research, Dr. Stone and Nicolas Hanquet interviewed interpreters across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, revealing how different countries handled interpreter visibility, the challenges interpreters faced, and how they adapted to this rapid shift in status.
Key Themes: What We Can Learn from the Pandemic
This session will present four key themes drawn from the research:
🔹 Professional Background – How experience levels and training impacted interpreters' ability to handle crisis situations.
🔹 Public Attention – The psychological and professional effects of becoming publicly recognisable figures overnight.
🔹 Autonomy – The extent to which interpreters could control their working conditions and ethical decisions.
🔹 Feedback – The dual impact of public praise and criticism, and how it shaped professional self-perception.
By reflecting on these themes, attendees will gain insight into how interpreters can better prepare for future crises, ensuring that visibility translates into lasting progress rather than temporary recognition.
Why This Session Matters for the Future of Interpreting
Interpreters are more visible than ever, and the profession must be ready for the next crisis. This session will provide:
✅ A deeper understanding of the changing role of sign language interpreters
✅ Lessons learned about crisis communication, professional resilience, and ethical challenges
✅ Insights for training programmes to prepare interpreters for high-profile, high-stress environments
Whether you were one of the interpreters who lived through this experience, or you’re a student or professional preparing for the future, this session will be a must-attend for understanding how interpreting is evolving in the public sphere.
Meet the Presenters
👤 Dr. Christopher Stone (UK) – A leading researcher and interpreter based in Wolverhampton, specialising in interpreting practices, ethics, and Deaf-hearing interpreter collaboration.
👤 Nicolas Hanquet (Belgium) – An interpreter, academic, and researcher at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Brussels, focusing on interpreting education and professional collaboration.
📅 Session Date: 28th June 2025
🎟️ Get your ticket now: https://www.thetogetherconference.co.uk/tickets2025
Don't miss this timely and powerful discussion on how the role of sign language interpreters is changing on a global scale!
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