Deafblind interpreter practice and training

Abstract Deafblind people have complex interpreting needs that often go beyond interlingual transfer. Their communicative profiles vary across various modes — visual, tactile and verbal — yet comparatively little is known about the repertoire of modes used by interpreters who work with deafblind people. Existing research shows that the communicative capacities and preferences of deafblind people encompass close-range signing, visual frame signing, tactile signing, haptics, print-on-palm, re-speaking and Protactile. This article presents empirical findings of 149 deafblind interpreters’ reported practices relating to their mode and frequency of work. Our overview of interpreter practice is followed by an examination of interpreters’ training experiences. This mirrors the typical path for interpreters, who first gain sign-language interpreting skills and then develop deafblind-specific sign-language interpreting skills as they start to work with deafblind people. Where pre-practice training was available, it seldom included content on deafblind communication beyond a basic introduction, if at all. Thus, the acquisition of knowledge and skills about deafblind interpreting, for most but not all, usually occurs after commencing work in the field. Focusing on responses that report on the positive aspects of professional development training, we conclude by providing recommendations on knowledge areas, skills and activities that could be catered for during training for interpreters looking to work in this field and also for those already practising as deafblind interpreters.