Country report: Belgium - Flanders
Population
Belgium 10.666.866 inhabitants
Flanders 6.117.440 (Approximately 6000 SL users)
Size of the country
Belgium: 30.528 km²
Flanders: 13.521km²
Number of active SL interpreters in Flanders
143 active Sign Language interpreters (out of which 73 interpret on a regular base) more information: Interpreter service: www.cabvlaanderen.be
Interpreter organization BVGT (website under construction)
56 members in 2009
Interpreter training
there are two trainings in Flanders, one in Mechelen (www.cvo-mechelen.be) and one in Gent (www.vspw.be) which offer a 4 year modular program (10h/week)
Contents:
- 5 modules Flemish Sign Language (120h/ module)
- theoretical subjects: Deaf culture, Psychology, technical devises and anatomy and fysiology of the ear, non-verbal expression, voicing, interpreting
- internship
all students combine their studies with a job, a family life, or another study
Since September 2008, Lessius hogeschool, in Antwerp started with a Bachelor program for Sign Language interpreters ( within this program SL has the status of a second foreign language) www.lessius-ho.be
important events in the past year
- (Flemish sign language was recognised in 2006)
- In 2009 our wages raised, we now earn 32,95 € an hour
- the amount of interpreting hours provided/ financed by the government increased
- Tenuto was founded in 2008 and organised several workshops for graduated interpreters
- The former board of the association for sign language interpreters gave up the good work (they quitted), new people started with a new name: BVGT was born!
goals for the association for the coming year
- website:With a special entrance for only the members
- spreading information by newsflashes
- giant survey among the SL interpreters in Flanders
- evening forums, gatherings,….
- Lobbying at the government for better wages.