We Speak Sign: 10 Years of Recognition

Translation and Interpreting Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, in association with Action on Hearing Loss and the British Deaf Association, announces a two-day conference to be held in Belfast on 26th and 27th September 2013, to mark the tenth anniversary of government recognition of BSL and ISL in the United Kingdom.

The following speakers have confirmed their attendance:

Mark Wheatley

Jeff McWhinney

John A. Hay

John Bosco Conama

Lillian Lawson

David Buxton

Terry Riley

The organising committee now invites proposals for twenty-minute papers although proposals for panel discussions will also be considered. The conference will be single track.

We anticipate the conference will address some or all of the following themes:

– Past, present and future of signed languages in the British Isles

– Recognition of signed languages

– Use of signed languages in international contexts

– BSL, ISL and the politics of recognition

– Rights of sign language users

This list is indicative and we will be pleased to receive proposals on other related topics. Please send proposals (maximum 500 words) in .pdf, .doc or .docx format to both djohnston@qub.ac.uk and sgillespie10@qub.ac.uk by 10th April 2013.

Submissions will be reviewed by an academic panel appointed by the organising committee, and notification of decisions will be given by 30th April.

A volume of selected essays will be published after the conference.

Conference languages are BSL and English, and ISL/English interpreters will be provided. Please indicate presentation language in your proposal. Presenters wishing to use languages other than those stated are encouraged to make contact with Sally Gillespie (sgillespie10@qub.ac.uk).

Important Dates

Proposal submission deadline: 10th April 2013

Notification of proposal decisions: 30th April 2013

Registration deadline: 23rd August 2013

Conference dates: 26th and 27th September 2013

There will be no charge for conference attendance. All tea/coffee, lunches, and receptions will be provided courtesy of Translation and Interpreting at Queen’s. Numbers, however, will be limited, and you are advised to register as early as possible.