Thread by @translationtalk

Today I would like to highlight some deaf people who have contributed to the profession through being long-time practitioners or as strong advocates for deaf interpreters. 1/x

Firstly, the late Judith Collins. She was one of the earlier deaf researchers and worked at the University of Durham. She was also an earlier DIN Chair and did much with @drcastone @chereme @PaulPEsq @corneliuedwards to bring about qualifications: bslzone.co.uk/watch/under-la… 2/x

Secondly: Pamela Morgan. Now happily retired, she worked as a qualified deaf counsellor in deaf mental health services & worked for many years as a deaf interpreter working in many relay settings (more about terminology later). She did a lot to represent deaf practitioners 3/x

Impossible to discuss deaf practitioners without mentioning @ClarkDenmark who has worked as a sign lang researcher, TV presenter, invision signer (more about that later as well). He was one of an earlier group of deaf people who qualified as an interpreter but didn't continue 4/x

Also - another long-time deaf practitioner: @clivemasonTV who worked at Moray House in some of the earlier BSL research projects with Mary Brennan, as a @BBCSeeHear presenter, deaf interpreter extraordinaire & taught @wlv_uni @BristolUni @DCAL_UCL & still does invision work 5/x

Some younger deaf people have also inspired us by becoming well-respected practitioners. @BSLTranslator has become a full-time translator, chaired DIN for a couple of years & has now become a board member of @ASLIuk, becoming a vital rep for deaf colleagues. Next, the world? 6/x