Professional Advances: Signed Language Interpreting & Translation Studies

We are pleased to announce the final public two day seminar marking the end of the first edition of the post-graduate program Multilingual Sign Language Interpreting & Translation Studies (MITS).

Hosted by the University of Siena (UNISI) & Mason Perkins Deafness Fund Onlus (MPDF Onlus).

Nineteen professional signed language interpreters from nine European countries, the MITS students, will present and discuss their final research results. Their research in the field of interpreting and translation studies covers a wide variety of topics such as: interpreting in legal, parliament, domestic violence cases, and music and theatre settings, deaf interpreters, co-interpreting, experiences of seasoned interpreters, interpreting international sign, mentoring, code of ethics, the role of the interpreter, working conditions, language brokering & identity, and interpreting gender inclusive language.

The seminar is open to signed language interpreters, researchers, trainers and everyone who wishes to attend. You can find the registration information below.

Prior to the seminar the University of Siena will host a special press conference to take stock of the current state of play and the accomplishments of the MITS program. Together with the president of MPDFonlus Miriam Grottanelli de Santi, the Course Director for MPDFonlus Dr. Maya de Wit, the Course coordinator for UNISI Rosalba Nodari, the dean of the University of Siena Roberto di Pietra and some of the MITS lecturers.

Speakers

· Androniki Xanthopoulou, Greece

· Anja Saft, Germany

· Antonia Maier, Austria

· Barbara Pollastri, Portugal

· Beatrice Poggi, Italy

· Belén Navas, Spain

· Ciara Grant, Ireland

· Elena Perazzato, Italy

· Francesca Malaspina, Italy

· Francesco Gasparri, Italy

· Gabriella Szarvas, Hungary

· Genny Brusegan Conte, Italy

· Giovanna Vessia, Italy

· Ludivine Guignot, France

· Mariapia Rizzi, Italy

· Nicola Noro, Italy

· Rozalia Founta, Greece

· Sara Pranovi, Italy

· Vânia Ferreira, Portugal

Program

DAY ONE: Thursday 9 October, 14.00 - 18.30 CET

14.00 - 14.30: Opening and welcome by the University of Siena and Mason Perkins Deafness Fund Onlus

*19 presentations: 15 minutes for presenting and 10 minutes for Q&A*

14.30 - 16.00: SESSION 1 - Human Rights

· An overview of Italian Sign Language interpreting provision in legal settings | Elena Perazzato, Italy

· Breaking the Silence: Sign Language Interpretation for Deaf Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Italy | Beatrice Poggi, Italy

· Challenges and strategies in interpreting for deaf migrants in Italy | Giovanna Vessia, Italy

16.00 - 16.30 Coffee break

16.30 - 18.30: SESSION 2 - Performing arts

· Sign Language Interpreter in theaters and pair work on stage | Vânia Ferreira, Portugal

· Beyond Interpretation: The Shared Process of Translating Deaf-Led Performance | Sara Pranovi, Italy

· Exploring Structural Equivalence in International Sign Translations of Songs: A Case Study of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest | Nicola Noro, Italy

· Signed Language Interpreted Concerts: Perspectives of Deaf Attendees on Accessibility and Cultural Representation | Gabriella Szarvas, Hungary

DAY TWO: Friday 10 October, 9.00 - 19.00 CET

9.15 - 9.30: Welcome back

9.30 - 11.00: SESSION 3 - Sustainability of the profession

· The Sustainability of the Sign Language Interpreting Profession in Italy | Genny Brusegan Conte, Italy

· Resilience Unlocked: What We Can Learn from Seasoned Professionals in the Sign Language Interpreting Profession | Anja Saft, Germany

· Mentoring in Sign Language Interpreting: Italian Perspectives and Aspirations | Mariapia Rizzi, Italy

11.00 - 11.30: Coffee break

11.30 - 13.00: SESSION 4 - Role & identity

· The professional identity of deaf translators in news translation | Belén Navas, Spain

· Bridges or Boundaries? Deaf Perceptions of CODA Interpreters in Italy | Francesco Gasparri, Italy

· Questioning Autonomy: The contribution of the Portuguese Sign Language Interpreter in a higher education theatre school — a case study | Barbara Pollastri, Portugal

13.00 - 14.30: Lunch break

14.30 - 16.00: SESSION 5 - Role & identity ct’d + Directionality

· Moving towards professional standards: an investigation into role and quality of the signed language interpreting profession in Italy | Francesca Malaspina, Italy

· Exploring Gender-Inclusive Language Use in Interpreting from Austrian Sign Language into Spoken German | Antonia Maier, Austria

· Exploring the challenges of interpreting into spoken English: comparative study between International Sign and French Sign Language input | Ludivine Guignot, France

16.00 - 16.30: Coffee break

16.30 - 18.00: SESSION 6 - VRS + Terminology

· Delivering justice: Video Relay Service calls to the police. Understanding the challenges for Sign Language Interpreters in Greece| Rozalia Founta, Greece

· Perspectives on VRS interpreting practices - a comparative study of four European countries | Androniki Xanthopoulou, Greece

· Signs of Engagement: The Irish Sign Language Parliamentary Glossary in Action | Ciara Grant, Ireland

18.00 - 18.30: Closing

Tickets:

EARLY BIRD: 90 euros - 40% discount on the original price! (until JUNE 30th)

REGULAR: 150 euros (from JULY 1st to SEPTEMBER 15th)

LATECOMER 180 euros (from SEPTEMBER 16th to OCTOBER 8th)

Languages: International Sign and English. Interpretation services are provided.

A certificate of attendance will be provided.

https://www.mpdfonlus.com/it/Le-attivit%C3%A0/MITS-FINAL-PUBLIC-SEMINAR-834/

Info: 14.00/14.30: Opening and welcome by the University of Siena and Mason Perkins Deafness Fund Onlus - 14.30/16.00: SESSION 1 - Human Rights (Elena Perazzato, Italy; Beatrice Poggi, Italy; Giovanna Vessia, Italy) - 16.00/16.30 Coffee break - 16.30/18.30: SESSION 2 - Performing arts (Vânia Ferreira, Portugal; Sara Pranovi, Italy; Nicola Noro, Italy; Gabriella Szarvas, Hungary)

Info: 9.15/9.30: Welcome back - 9.30/11.00: SESSION 3 - Sustainability of the profession (Genny Brusegan Conte, Italy; Anja Saft, Germany; Mariapia Rizzi, Italy) - 11.00/11.30: Coffee break - 11.30/13.00: SESSION 4 - Role & identity (Belén Navas, Spain; Francesco Gasparri, Italy; Barbara Pollastri, Portugal) - 13.00/14.30: Lunch break - 14.30/16.00: SESSION 5 - Role & identity ct’d + Directionality (Francesca Malaspina, Italy; Antonia Maier, Austria; Ludivine Guignot, France) - 16.00/16.30: Coffee break - 16.30/18.00: SESSION 6 - VRS + Terminology (Rozalia Founta, Greece; Androniki Xanthopoulou, Greece; Ciara Grant, Ireland) - 18.00/18.30: Closing

Also check out other Workshops in Siena, Entertainment events in Siena, Arts events in Siena.