Stephen Ellis-Menton

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 continually choose...

Reflecting on Dr Joseph Musabyimana and Ibrahim Ndagijimana’s session about Rwanda’s interpreting community What happens when a community needs interpreters, but the formal structures normally associated with a profession are still being developed? There may be no established training route, national register or consistent system of professional standards. The number of experienced practitioners may be small, while the need for communication access stretches across education, healthcare,...

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 between ideas that...