Signed language interpreting/translation in public service settings 3200-M2-4PŚRPJM

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with community interpreting and translation involving Polish Sign Language (the dominant form of interpreting/translation in the context of signed languages). The classes are conducted in a seminar-based format and include guest sessions with interpreters and translators who professionally practice this type of interpreting/translation.

Topics discussed during the course include: the specific characteristics of community interpreting involving Deaf people; the contexts and institutional settings in which it is used; the interpreter (hearing and deaf) — their competences and professional roles; strategies and techniques of community interpreting; the linguistic and cognitive dimensions of translation and interpreting; as well as the ethical aspects of this type of work. Additional issues addressed include interpreting in teams with a deaf interpreter, interpreting for different groups of deaf people, including individuals with limited proficiency in signed language, the elderly, children, etc.

The course covers the following topics:

1. Definitions, scope, and characteristics of signed language community interpreting/translation in comparison with conference interpreting
2. The history of community interpreting/translation involving Deaf people (models of the interpreter’s role, professionalization of signed language interpreting)
3. Interpreting/translation in medical settings
4. Interpreting/translation in legal and court settings
5. Interpreting/translation in psychotherapy
6. Interpreting/translation in administrative settings and the workplace
7. Interpreting/translation in migrant settings
8. Interpreting/translation in educational settings
9. Interpreting involving children and highly visually oriented individuals
10. Remote community interpreting
11. Interpreting/translation performed by deaf interpreters and in cooperation with hearing interpreters
12. Strategies and techniques in community interpreting/translation
13. Ethical norms and professional standards in signed language community interpreting/translation

Student workload (2 ECTS):

Class participation (30 hours) – 1 ECTS
Independent reading and analysis of texts (15 hours), preparation for discussions (15 hours) – 1 ECTS

If it is not possible to conduct classes in person, they will be held remotely using distance communication tools, most likely Google Meet and other platforms recommended by the University of Warsaw.

The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).

Course coordinators

Aleksandra Kalata-Zawłocka

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

(in Polish) Ukończenie pierwszego roku studiów II stopnia na kierunku lingwistyka stosowana, specjalność przekład polskiego języka migowego.

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE
- has advanced knowledge of the key concepts related to Translation/Interpreting Studies and the main developmental trends in contemporary Signed Language Translation/Interpreting Studies (S4_W01)
- has advanced knowledge of the key concepts related to the theory of translation and interpreting of signed languages (as well as spoken languages), including current developmental trends (e.g. concerning the main types and modes of signed translation and interpreting, as well as the use of new technologies) (S4_W02)
- has advanced knowledge of translation and interpreting strategies and techniques used in various types of written, spoken, and visual-spatial texts, as well as in different interpreting and translation contexts (including conference and community translation/interpreting) (S4_W03)
- has advanced knowledge of current research directions, problems, and methodologies in the field of signed language and spoken language translation/interpreting studies (written, spoken/signed, and audiovisual), and is familiar with the major Translation Studies research centres in Europe and worldwide (S4_W04)
- has advanced knowledge of the fundamental issues related to translation and interpreting of sign languages (as well as spoken languages) as interlingual and intercultural phenomena (S4_W05)
- has advanced knowledge of the principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law in the context of translation and interpreting of signed languages (as well as spoken languages) (S4_W06)
- has advanced knowledge of the economic and legal conditions related to working as a signed language interpreter/translator (S4_W07)
- has advanced knowledge of the professional environment of signed language interpreters/translators and of the processes involved in signed translation and interpreting (conference and community) (S4_W08)

SKILLS
- is able to apply their knowledge of the theory of translation and interpreting of signed languages (as well as spoken languages) in order to solve complex problems in signed language translation/interpreting through appropriate preparation for translation tasks, creative interpretation of the source text, proper selection of sources (e.g. specialist dictionaries, glossaries, corpora), adequate assessment of the function of the translation/interpreting task, and selection of strategies appropriate to the context of translation as well as conference and community interpreting (S4_U01)
- is able to apply knowledge of the theory of translation and interpreting of signed and spoken languages through the appropriate use of tools, including advanced information and communication technologies such as CAI (Computer-Assisted Interpreting) tools (S4_U02)
- is able to apply knowledge of research methodologies used in contemporary Translation/Interpreting Studies in order to design and conduct methodologically sound research in the field of signed language translation/interpreting (including the use of information and communication technologies), analyse the results, and identify their implications (S4_U03)
- is able to communicate clearly, including with non-specialists, on issues related to translation and interpreting of signed languages with clients, institutions, and translation/interpreting recipients, and to appropriately justify the decisions made and strategies applied (S4_U05)
- is able to engage in discussion on translation and interpreting of signed languages, understood both as a process and as a product, while taking into account different perspectives and the latest findings in Translation/Interpreting Studies research (S4_U06)
- is able to independently plan and pursue lifelong learning thanks to knowledge of institutions and centres related to translation/interpreting, as well as awareness of resources that can be used to further develop competences in signed language translation and interpreting (S4_U08)

SOCIAL COMPETENCES
- is ready to apply their knowledge of the theory of translation and interpreting of signed languages (as well as spoken languages) in order to solve complex problems in signed language translation/interpreting through appropriate preparation for translation tasks, creative interpretation of the source text, proper selection of sources (e.g. specialist dictionaries, glossaries, corpora), adequate assessment of the function of the translation/interpreting task, and selection of strategies appropriate to the context of translation as well as conference and community interpreting (S4_K01)
- is ready to apply knowledge of research methodologies used in contemporary Translation/Interpreting Studies in order to design and conduct methodologically sound research in the field of signed language translation/interpreting (including the use of information and communication technologies), analyse the results, and identify their implications (S4_K03)
- is ready to engage in discussion on translation and interpreting of signed languages, understood both as a process and as a product, while taking into account different perspectives and the latest findings in Translation/Interpreting Studies research (S4_K06)
- is ready to lead teamwork within a translation/interpreting project and, in particular, to cooperate with other interpreters and translators while carrying out translation/interpreting tasks (S4_K07)
- is ready to independently plan and pursue lifelong learning thanks to knowledge of institutions and centres related to translation/interpreting, as well as awareness of resources that can be used to further develop competences in signed language translation and interpreting (S4_K08)

Assessment criteria

Assessment Methods and Criteria:

Continuous assessment based on active participation in class (level of preparation for discussions and participation in them).

The course is completed through the performance of an interpreting task within a simulated communicative situation. The resit examination during the retake session is conducted in the same form.

The final grade is awarded according to the following scale:

0–59% = fail (2.0)
60–67% = satisfactory (3.0)
68–75% = satisfactory plus (3.5)
76–83% = good (4.0)
84–91% = good plus (4.5)
92–98% = very good (5.0)
99–100% = excellent / very good with distinction (5.0!)

Two absences are permitted. Exceeding the absence limit requires the student to arrange with the instructor an alternative form of completing the course material covered during missed classes.

Bibliography

Biernacka, A. (2025). Towards ethics and best practices in distant public service interpreting in Poland. Fitispos International Journal, 12(1), 69-84.

Biernacka A., Kalata-Zawłocka A. (2024), „Etyka tłumaczy ustnych języków fonicznych i tłumaczy języków migowych. Od teoretycznych rozważań do praktycznych rozwiązań”, Między Oryginałem a Przekładem 1(63), s. 93-115, https://doi.org/10.12797/MOaP.30.2024.63.05

Biernacka A. 2019 Interpreter Mediated Interactions of the Courtroom. A Naturally Occurring Data Based Study. Berlin: Peter Lang.

Biernacka A. D., Kalata-Zawłocka A. (2019) “Techniques deployed by sign and spoken language public service interpreters: a comparative study”, Półrocznik Językoznawczy Tertium. Tertium Linguistic Journal, Vol. 4 (1), 162-192.

Grbić, N., Pöllabauer, S. (2021) "Community Interpreting: signed or spoken? Types, modes, and methods", Linguistica Antverpiensia, New Series – Themes in Translation Studies, 5. https://doi.org/10.52034/lanstts.v5i.163

Kalata-Zawłocka, A. (2019) „(Nie)obecność tłumacza w tłumaczeniu języka migowego - wyzwania komunikacji na odległość”, [w:] E. Gruszczyńska, M. Guławska-Gawkowska, A. Szczęsny (red.) Translatoryczne i dyskursywne oblicza komunikacji, Instytut Lingwistyki Stosowanej UW, Warszawa, s. 185–203.

Kalata-Zawłocka, A., Świderska-Noworyta, R. (2026). „Signed language translation in Poland: experiences and practices of Deaf professionals.” [w:] A. Beinchet, K. Czarnocka, & A. R. Rueda-Acedo (red.), Fostering inclusion across countries through community translation and interpreting. Palgrave Macmillan

Kalata-Zawłocka, A., Biernacka, A. (2026) „Crosspollination between spoken and signed language interpreters’ ethics: what can we learn from each other?”, The Translator and Interpreter Trainer. Special issue: Training signed language interpreters and translators, DOI: 10.1080/1750399X.2026.2658332

Kodeks tłumacza przysięgłego 2018 (red. zbiorowa). Warszawa: Wyd. Tepis.

Kodeks etyczny Stowarzyszenia Tłumaczy Polskiego Języka Migowego

Tryuk M. 2006 Przekład ustny środowiskowy, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.

Tryuk M. (2012) Ty nic nie mów, ja będę tłumaczył. O etyce w tłumaczeniu ustnym, Warszawa: ILS UW.

Valero Garcés C. (red.) 2008 Crossing Borders in Community Interpreting. Definitions and Dilemmas. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: J. Benjamins.

Wadensjö C. 1998 Interpreting as Interaction. London and New York: Longman.