Contact details
• Name association: AFILS (Association Française des Interprètes en Langue des Signes)
• Name president: Mrs. Guylaine Paris
• Address: 254, rue Saint Jacques, 75005 Paris
• Country: France
• E-mail: contact@afils.fr
• Website: www.afils.fr
Country Report:
French Association of Sign Language Interpreters
POPULATION
61.9 million french people.
In 2005, 6.6% were having hearing problems. It means that, out of 4.092.000 persons, 111.600 were profoundly
deaf (more than 90 dB of hearing loss) = 1.8/1000. 80.000 were using french sign language
SIZE OF THE COUNTRY
675.417 km²
NUMBER OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
In 2009, we are about 280 to 300 sign language interpreters with a degree. We can't say how many are full-time or
part-time because work organization is very different all over the country. Even in the same work place,
interpreters have very different type of working contracts.
INTERPRETER ORGANIZATION : MEMBERS ?
Our national organization is called AFILS : French Association of Sign Language Interpreters. Out of 280 to 300
professionnal interpreters, 83 individual members and 13 associate members (interpreting services) are registered.
It brings the number of registered interpreters up to 125 (on 30th june). The national association is made out of 6
regions : North, Paris region, East, Lyon region and Center, South, West region.
INTERPRETERS TRAINING
LENGTH AND CONTENT OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
click to view large image (jpg image)
Events and objectives for 2009:
Organization of events:
- AFILS Day in Lille (northern France) January 17, 2009
Participation in conferences:
- Presentation at the symposium Unisda January 23, 2009
- 2 presentations at the FNSF conference 23 and May 24, 2009
- Participation in discussions with ministry departments on remote interpretation
- Participation to the pilot committee about accessibility jobs (relying on the law of February 11,
2005)
Participation in events (demonstrations, stand holding ...)
- World deaf day September 27, 2008
- 100 years of Echo Mag 24, 25 and April 26, 2009
- Interventions in various associations, schools and universities on the profession, ethics,
training programms and pre-requisites.
Major events related to sign language or interpreters in the country (official recognition,...)
- Decrees establishing LSF courses at nursery, elementary, middle and high schools.
GOALS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE COMING YEAR
- AFILS wants to help video relay interpreting services work in professionnal conditions.
- AFILS wants to continue promoting the profession of Sign interpreters and convince public
authorities to rather hire an interpreter than a bilingual social worker to interpret.