CHALLENGES AND PROSPECT OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION

IN AFRICA: THE NIGERIA PERSPECTIVE

Olufemi T. AdigunDepartment of Special Education

University of Ibadan, Nigeriaand

Oladipupo ‘Wumi OmobosolaFederal College of Education (Special), Oyo,

Oyo State, Nigeria

The ability to respond to the auditory-verbal stimulus is an important phenomenon with a great implication on the existence of human being and on the interpersonal relationship that exist among members of the society.

The sense of hearing is one of the indispensable sense organ but when it is defective; communication becomes difficult via oral-aural mode and therefore, poses a great danger to the psychosocial development of an individual.

Conditions associated with hearing disabilities according to Oyewumi (2013) is referred to as hearing impairment. Hearing impairment is a generic term that includes the deaf and hard-of-hearing whose hearing loss ranges from mild to profound.

Introduction

Peer rejection and some difficulty while attempting to develop some necessary social skills;

rejection or subtle denials by parents, family members or the community at large;

hostility from their counterparts with normal hearing; suffers from both inherent and interpersonal

malfunction and; are more likely to experience adolescence related

problems far much more than that encountered by his/her hearing peers.

Effects associated with hearing loss

Due to communication limitation, deaf and hard of hearing suffer relatively more when compared to their hearing peers because they lack the ability to fully integrate themselves into the world of hearing.

For the deaf and hard of hearing, his or her hearing classmate, the teacher (regular or special) and other members of the society, choosing the most effective and acceptable communication medium is perhaps the greatest hurdle to crack, hence, there is need for a Sign Language Interpreter (SLI) who will enhance effective communication between the hearing society and individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing.

Sign Language Interpreters (Professionals, Skilled, Certified, conveys information to

the deaf and hard of hearing through total communication)

‘Hearing’ society (Uses spoken

language)

Deaf/Hard of hearing (Uses

visual language)

The Sign Language Interpreter (SLI)

1

•Negative societal attitude towards persons with hearing loss

2

•Lack of Sign language education and training

3

•Stress and burnout

4

•Oral-manual controversy

5

•Cultural diversity and language differences

The Challenges of Sign Language Interpreters

Over the years, researchers such as Bat-chava (2000); Scheetz (2004); Ademokoya (2008) and Oyewumi (2013) have advocated for inclusive society, proper education and all round development for the deaf/hard of hearing. It is quiet unfortunate that such call may not be effective without the impact of Sign Language Interpreters who will bridge the communication gap between the deaf/hard of hearing and the non-sign language users.

The Sign Language Interpreters are no doubt an intermediary and a best friend to those individuals who communicate via the visual language approach.

Prospect of Sign Language Interpretation

Public awareness and enlightenment

Sign Language Interpreter Education and Training

Recognition of Sign Language Interpreters

Prospect of Sign Language Cont’d

This slide have summarily present the situation around persons who are deaf/hard of hearing in Africa using the Nigeria context and also revealed the challenges faced by Sign Language Interpreters. It has also itemized three (3) major ways by which the challenges can be curtailed and eliminated so as to give need assistance to the psychosocial need of persons with hearing loss.

Conclusion