The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disability (ZAPD) has expressed worry at the increased number of sign language interpreters who have commercialized the language.
ZAPD Director General, Charles Mwape says interpreters have abused the language and are making profit out of it at the expense of the deaf.
He says government, in conjunction with the agency, is working towards developing a policy that will regulate the conduct of interpreters so that sign language is not abused.
Dr. Mwape said this when his organization conducted a familiarization tour of the Zambia National Association of the Deaf (ZNAD) offices in Lusaka today.
He said government will also start issuing practicing licenses to sign language interpreters so that people can begin to respect sign language in the country.
Dr. Mwape further said that the agency through the Ministry of Community development has written to the Ministry of Health to start training HIV/AIDS counselors and nurses in sign language so that they can attend to the deaf without any difficulties.
He said this will enable the deaf access HIV/AIDS information and Voluntary Counseling Testing without fear of stigmatization.
And ZNAD Executive Director, James Kapembwa, called for the recognition of the deaf in communities.
Mr. Kapembwa, who was speaking through an interpreter, said it has been difficult for the deaf to communicate with other people in communities because there is no proper culture that they can be identified with.
ZANIS
I think u r just wafling why can’t U just mind yo business.You should learn to be thankful.
#1, u rite. Everyone has the right to make a living – just like Rupiah eats free breakfast and Sata left the MMD to become President – the same guy with the same arrogance and ignorance, but seeking to eat better. Just like Shikapwasha tells lies in order to be paid. Dog eat dog.
This is not easy to learn just say thank you and you want to increase salaries
Interpretation is an occupation that takes 4yrs training. As a former development officer at Zambia National Association of the deaf. I wish to point out that the headline (abusing) is wrong and the idea of training health workers sign language can not be achieved over night. The best that can be done is to register all sign language interpreters graduating from a reputable college and/or trained by qualified ZNAD officers. Interpreters MUST have certificates in interpretaions. He/she must be one word behind the speaker. NOT those that wait up to the end of speech to start explain instead of interpreting.
Here in Finland when visiting doctors every deaf takes with him/her a sign language interpreter.
make $$$$$$$$$$$ no matter what it takes, thats what all rich guys will tell u.
I miss the story…can some body help me understand how this language is being abused? Does it mean people should not use it? help me please!!!!!!!!!
Good day very nice website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?I am glad to find a lot of helpful info here in the publish, we’d like work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .