Sign language failure disappointing

Following the ‘fake interpreter’ debacle at the memorial event for Nelson Mandela in South Africa, two general observations can be made in relation to Ireland.

While the incident has heightened awareness among the public that interpretation is a profession with high standards to be upheld, especially between signed and spoken languages, many of us are keen to point out that such an incident is not solely confined to South Africa. These situations can, and do, arise frequently in this country.

We have come to know about several Irish cases where the requirements for professional interpretation have been flouted with quite hazardous consequences. Non-qualified persons are often procured for interpreting tasks, ranging from meetings with medical consultants to interpreting for defendants standing before the courts. We hope that policymakers realise that the interpreting profession needs to be strictly regulated in order to protect the interests of all users of signed and spoken languages.