We live in exciting times for the emerging profession of Sign Language interpreting, with access to excellent training programs, professional development and ground-breaking research becoming more widespread. In our continued drive towards becoming a true profession, and being recognised as such, it is essential that those who teach in those excellent training programs and professional development workshops, and those who carry out that ground-breaking research, have opportunities to network with one another and share ideas.

This was just the opportunity offered at the Interpreter Trainers’ Workshop, which was held in Sydney on September 7 th 2007, which I was privileged to attend. I had attended the first of these workshops, in Sydney, in 1993, at which there were 10 participants. I had unfortunately missed the second workshop in Perth, 2006, at which there were 22 participants. I was delighted to see that at our third Interpreter Trainers’ Workshop, the room was filled to (almost) overflowing, and that we even had international delegates present!

Conveners Marcel Leneham and Karen Bontempo had done a wonderful job of organising the event at such short notice following the news that South Australia would be unable to host the ASLIA National Conference and Interpreter Trainers’ Workshop. Delegates were treated to a day of thought-provoking and inspiring presentations from Dr Rachel McKee, Meredith Bartlett, Sandra Leane, Susan Emerson, Robyn Tsapazi, Dr Jemina Napier, and - doing double duty – Karen Bontempo and Marcel Leneham.

A broad range of topics were discussed during the workshop, and the highlights were many. In her keynote presentation, Dr Rachel McKee reminded us of the obvious (yet strangely sometimes forgotten) fact that “variation is normal”; that it is patterned by social factors and has social meaning, and that knowledge of variation is part of native speaker competence. Susan inspired us with tales of interpreter training in very challenging conditions in Kosovo. We heard about the innovative program offered at the WA Interpreters’ Retreat (making those of us from other states feel quite envious and start our minds working on how we might possibly be able to offer something similar in our own states!). Marcel introduced us to Reddy’s “toolmaker paradigm” and the concept that interlocutors don’t just encode and decode meaning, in fact they create meaning with each utterance. We discussed issues of assessment, both formative and summative, and touched on some of the tricky aspects of screening. And perhaps most exciting of all, we discussed “the way forward”; the training needs we perceive, the contributions we want to make, the strategies we can implement to turn our vision for the future of the profession to reality.

Just as we have recognised the importance of education, mentoring, and peer networks for interpreters, we now recognise the need for these kinds of support for interpreter trainers as well. Exciting times are ahead, as we move towards the establishment of an Interpreter Trainers’ Network, which will facilitate further sharing of knowledge and resources, improving the quality and consistency of interpreter training, and ultimately the standing of our profession!

hanks go to all those involved in the Interpreter Trainers’ Workshop 2007 for giving so freely of their time and expertise. The next Interpreter Trainers’ Workshop is scheduled for Friday 5 th September 2008 in Darwin, prior to the commencement of the ASLIA National Conference. If past history is anything to go by, it will be an event not to be missed for all those involved in interpreter training!