I am in Paris, France. I am here for a WASLI conference. It is the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters.
Hearing interpreters, Deaf Interpreters and researchers all attended to discuss and attended lectures to experience the different ways of interpreting.
This is held every four years. WASLI was started in 2003.
For two years they planned and collected funds and held their 1st conference in 2005.
Since then they have kept conducting it.
The people attending the conference has kept increasing. Now there were 508 attendants. It has grown so much.
Next year, I hope more Indians participate.
For the last two days I had discussions and interviews with people about their experiences.
Here have a look.
I have met Gourav Verma. He is a delegate of ISLIA.
He is here for the WASLI conference. What has been your experience here?
Thank You Alim!
The last few days I attended the workshops. They were very good and I have had a great experience.
Similarly in India when we saw this we were stunned.
They would go in depth and research about interpreters. Wheras in India there was hardly anything.
I was in awe. It was very different.
India has various professional courses but in comparison we are very behind.
We must invite these experts to India.
Like how in India I am involved with ISLRTC and it is doing very well.
But I see there are different point of views.
Since two days I had learnt many things.
Their theory, concept, etc are all in detail.
The work done earlier in India was okay.
Now it has become better but I want it to be even better.
How can we do this? There has to be team work.
Meetings, workshops, etc. must be conducted in India.
If we do this we will surely progress faster.
Hope next time Indian Deaf experts and Interpreters attend the WASLI conference give a presentation.
Surely! Yesterday the entire day I felt that I missed the chance to give a presentation. I really wanted to do it!
I saw that most of them were from the USA, Europe and many countries. There was only one person from Asia.
A Hearing Interpreter from Phillipines gave a lecture.
Only one person. When I saw this I thought "Shit!". As I really wanted to give a lecture.
I hope four years later, at the place that hosts the next conference I want to give a lecture.
If I fail then another person must come forward and give a lecture.
This is to show that even India is working hard and progressing.
The world must not look down upon our country. I do not want them to feel like this.
We are equals and we have to show this. Let's see in the future.
There are 25 people from all over the world have put up their posters
about information regarding their research related to various interpreting topics.
Come let's have a look!
In UK they have researched the locations where interpreters must stand and interpret from.
This is from Taiwan. I think this is the Sign name.
They have started a Deaf Interpreter Training program.
They have explained it all here.
In a police station how must a interpret stand and interpret?
This is the process.
I am interviewing the Ex-President. She was the President of WASLI for the last 8 years.
Now she has finished her tenure.
I am going to interview her and ask her about her experience.
What is your name and background?
Hello! This is my Sign name.
My name is Debra Russell.
I was the President of the World Association of Sign language Interpreters.
What is goal for WASLI?
WASLI's aim is to try to improve interpreting and make it professional.
In Today's as well as the upcoming presentations I saw that there is a lot to learn about Interpreting.
I want WASLI's interpreter association and Deaf associations to have a strong bond.
Interpreters must never stop learning. They must stop only when they die.
Do you feel the number of Deaf interpreters is increasing?
Positively!
For years there have been Deaf interpreters. But now I am seeing interpreters from around the world.
Their numbers are increasing. It's very exciting for me.
This is WASLI's new President.
What is your name?
This is my Sign name.
My name is... but I will have to spell it out.
It is Christopher Stone.
What is your background? Where are you from?
I was raised in London, England.
I moved around a lot and lived in Europe, USA, Finland and many other places.
My parents are not hearing. I lived with them for 18 years.
For how many years have you been interpreting?
Shhhh.. Well I have been interpreting for 23 years now.
That's 23.
Shh don't tell anyone!
As President what are your goals?
My goals.. I want two things.
The first is that I want countries all over the world to be more active.
I want them to be more visible. I want them to be united and share information with each other.
Secondly I want WASLI to set up a office in Switzerland.
So that I can meet the officials of world organisations.
the UN is in Geneva, Switzerland. Here I can meet with officials
The various countries in the world can give me their information and I can contact officials and discuss it. This is my aim.
That's great!
What do you feel is your challenge?
The world is very big. There is a lot of diversity.
But the challenge is.. Well I think a challenge is important.
We must stay together, communicate, motivate each other, respect different cultures and situations.
Deaf and Hearing must stay united.
Hearing and Deaf interpreter must stay united as well.
This must go on.
I hope after 4 years, Indian Hearing and Deaf interpreters attend the WASLI conference.
Please come!
Thank you!