A Decade of Experience, From Chaos to Professionalism
Hong Kong’s First Book Revealing the Journey of Sign Language Interpreters
Sign language in Hong Kong has long been overlooked, with the professional status of sign language interpreters marginalised and training opportunities lacking. This book seeks to break the silence, grounding sign language interpretation knowledge and experience locally and promoting it across the Chinese-speaking world.
Drawing on over a decade of experience, sign language interpreter Chan Yi-hin begins with the history of local sign language and the Deaf community, delving into the practical preparation required for interpreters. The book shares insights into interpreting strategies, highlights the ethical standards interpreters should uphold, and provides key recommendations for fostering effective interpreter teams. It is both a heartfelt account for industry insiders and a textbook for aspiring sign language interpreters. It captures the journey from initial chaos to professionalism and expresses hopes for the future of sign language interpretation in Hong Kong.
One day, sign language may gain greater recognition, and the interpreting profession may achieve formal certification. Until then, let this book serve as a stepping stone to bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing worlds, opening a new chapter in the development of Hong Kong sign language.
Autor: Chan Yi-hin
Editor: Enoch Yee-lok Tam
Reviewer: Joyce Poon, Lo Sui-wah, Anita Yu, Lu Chun-yi, Cat Fung
Art & Design: So Wai Lam
Edition: First edition, December 2022
ISBN: 978-988-74162-3-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70783/signlanguage
Page: 280
Price: HK$118
Content
Recommendations
Sign Language Interpreter Should Have Conscience – Foreword (by Cat Fung)
Origin
Chapter 1: What Does a Sign Language Interpreter Do?
Chapter 2: Who Are the Deaf? Culture, Oppression, and Identity Politics
Chapter 3: Let’s Talk About Hong Kong Sign Language
Chapter 4: Interpretation Is a Compromise: Preparing for Sign Language Interpretation
Chapter 5: Does Interpretation Require Creativity? Understanding Sign Language Interpreting Strategies
Chapter 6: The Ethical Conduct of Sign Language Interpreters
Chapter 7: The Various Settings Interpreters Work In
Chapter 8: We Are a Village: The Sign Language Interpreter Team
Chapter 9: The Relationship Between Sign Language Interpreters and Money
Chapter 10: Self-Care for Sign Language Interpreters
About the author
Chan Yi Hin
A Hongkonger residing near Washington on the East Coast of the US, calling the latter home and the former their roots. Involved in interpreting, writing, reading, and advocacy—constantly doing something that lies somewhere in between these pursuits. Aspiring to understand the meaning of a “citizen translator,” which might be interpreted as engaging with society through the lens of interpreting expertise, reflecting on justice and equality from the perspective of Deaf affairs.
Holds an MSc in Deafhood Studies from the University of Bristol (UK) and a PhD in Sign Language Interpreting from Gallaudet University (USA). Author of My Deaf Friends, translator of How Deaf Children Learn, and editor of Boundless Love: Disability, Emotions, and Sexuality. A lover of cats and cooking.
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Recommendations (in order of Chinese name strokes)
Yi-hin’s writing succinctly captures the essence of Deaf culture and language, as well as the intricate and often challenging relationship between the Deaf and hearing worlds. It may seem natural for Deaf individuals to seek help from hearing interpreters in their daily lives, but how much do we actually understand about the work of interpreting?
Thank you, Yi-hin, for selflessly sharing your years of experience and reflections on interpreting, helping us gain insight into the work and journey of interpreters, while also encouraging us to consider how we can be their allies.
──Anita Yu, Deaf Interpreter and Deaf Teacher in the Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrollment Education Programme
This is a highly recommended introduction to sign language interpreting. The book thoughtfully captures the author’s reflections on sign language interpretation, the practical work of interpreters, ethical conduct, and practical teaching and advice for interpreters. These are concepts that truly need to be seen, understood, and appreciated to promote social inclusion and acceptance of the sign language community.
──Jenny Lam, Independent Deaf Sign Language Interpreter and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Sign Language Bible Translation Society
When I first met Denise, she had just graduated from her undergraduate studies. Although we haven’t worked together extensively over the years, I have witnessed her transform her initial curiosity and interest in sign language into genuine engagement, commitment, and care for the Deaf community. She is one of the very few in Hong Kong with an academic background in linguistics, Deaf studies, and sign language interpretation, while also being well-versed in the state of sign language interpreting both locally and internationally.
In this book, Denise shares her years of interpreting experiences across different settings and locations, connecting theory and practice in an accessible way. Her reflections and insights on interpreting go beyond what is typically offered in sign language interpretation courses. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone aspiring to work in the field of sign language interpreting. It is also a valuable read for anyone who interacts with the Deaf community in their work or daily life.
──Prof Sze Yim Binh, Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
I still vividly remember the evening of Yi-hin’s PhD thesis defence, which I watched live on Zoom—I was so excited! Achieving a doctorate at Gallaudet University, the only university in the world dedicated to sign language, is such an extraordinary accomplishment and a rare and invaluable contribution.
Hong Kong Sign Language has long been overlooked, never recognised as an official language. The quality, training, and professional status of sign language interpreters have remained marginalised, with resources severely lacking. From what I’ve observed, most sign language interpreters in Hong Kong pay a heavy personal price—accepting meagre salaries, overcoming immense challenges at work, and enduring unnecessary professional pressures. Choosing to undertake academic research on Hong Kong Sign Language interpreting requires immense courage and a resolute spirit. Yi-hin has done just that, elevating the experiences, history, and achievements of Hong Kong’s sign language interpreters to a global stage. By bridging the gap between the Deaf and hearing worlds, Yi-hin has opened a new chapter in academic research for the development of Hong Kong Sign Language—this is truly remarkable!
This book embodies dreams, dedication, love, and connection. Congratulations to Yi-hin, and my admiration to the publisher for their foresight. May this book inspire many more readers!
──Red Chan, former Professor of Translation Studies at Lingnan University (Hong Kong) and the University of Warwick (UK)
Praises and Reviews
Last year, a Hong Kong publisher released Sign Language Interpreter’s Notes on Nurturing, a book written from the perspective of a sign language interpreter, documenting the history of Hong Kong Sign Language and offering glimpses into the lives of the Deaf community. Additionally, there was a media feature, The Unseen Voice, which followed several Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, exposing the injustices they face under the current interpreting system.
The content of this book, true to its title as “notes,” covers an impressively broad range of topics, including sign language interpreting techniques, Deaf culture, history, interpreting models, theoretical applications, cognitive capacity, interpreting strategies, ethical decision-making, psychological adjustments, negotiation, collaboration, and more. Much like notes we take in class, this book feels like an entire course—a course on sign language, interpreters, and the Deaf community.
The significance of Chan Yi-hin’s book goes beyond its clear, systematic, and accessible presentation of theories, techniques, mindsets, and case studies related to sign language interpreting. It also lies in its ability to lead readers—especially hearing readers—into a world they rarely encounter in their daily lives.