Sign Language in Action

Using video technology to engage deaf sign language users in survey research: An example from the Insign project

“…Research with deaf signers and their respective signing communities has a long tradition of methodological innovation. Existing literature has identified a number of pertinent issues that must be considered in the design of research methodology that aims to include the experiences of deaf participants (e.g., Harris, Holmes, & Mertens, 2009;Kusters et al, 2017;Napier & Leeson, 2016 Temple, 2014). These include: the language skills and preferences of the participant; the language skills of the researcher and the mode of communication used; the researcher and participant relationship; and methods of recruitment.…”

“…Before examining the key issues in designing research for deaf signers, it is first necessary to clarify our use of this term. Far from being a singular concept, the category of 'Deaf' is highly complex and political; there are many ways to 'be deaf' (Monaghan, Schmaling, Nakamura, & Turner, 2003), with increasing recognition that deaf signers have different identities related to their use of sign language, their membership in deaf signing communities, and their interactions with the wider hearing majority (Bat-Chava, 2000;Breivik, 2005;Leigh, 2009;Napier & Leeson, 2016). Deafness may refer to a physiological condition that affects hearing; in this case, there has been a convention in the literature to use the lower-case 'deaf' to refer to an individual who has a hearing loss but may not necessarily be a signer.…”

“…In contrast, the use of the uppercase 'Deaf' signifies the cultural identity of belonging to a sign language community (Ladd, 2003). In recent times, however, there has been a move away from this convention due to the complexity of identifying who is 'Deaf' or 'deaf' (Napier & Leeson, 2016;Turner, 1994), as people may self-identify in different ways and in fact at times be both (Walker, 2016). Instead, the focus is shifting to sign language use, rather than audiological condition, so authors are increasingly referring to 'sign language peoples/persons' or 'signing communities' (Batterbury, Ladd, & Gulliver, 2007;Jokinen, 2001;Kusters, 2010;Napier & Leeson, 2016).…”

Rebalancing power: Participatory research methods in interpreting studies

“…Ladd, 2003). Being hearing, thus representing the dominant society, presents us with an inherent privilege that cannot be ignored and should certainly be acknowledged (see Dickinson, 2010;Napier & Leeson, 2016;Young & Temple, 2014). This, coupled with the traditional power of the academic researcher, makes it a necessary duty for us to consider our position and be conscious of the power that may be exerted in the research that we are involved with, as well as our incentive for conducting research.…”

“It’s good for them but not so for me”: Inside the sign language interpreting call centre

“…Deaf sign language users identify themselves as members of a linguistic and cultural minority rather than a disability group (see Ladd, 2003;Padden & Humphries, 1988;Senghas & Monaghan, 2002;Napier & Leeson, 2016). The barriers that tend to stand in their way are social attitudes and prejudice, the failure to recognise the linguistic status of sign languages, and the denial of the right to access services, businesses and public life in sign language (Batterbury, 2012;Turner, 2006).…”