Country report: Poland

Facts about Poland
Size of the country:                    322 575 km²
Population of the country:          38 110 000
Deaf population:                          100 000  
Deaf signers:                                  40 000
SL interpreters:                                   200*
*The information about the number of sign language interpreters in Poland comes from the Polish Association of the Deaf. The number is approximate, as it probably refers to interpreters registered in the association. There are many active interpreters (number unknown) that are not registered in the association, though. 

Sign Language interpreter organisation         

Association of Polish Sign Language Interpreters (STPJM)
www.stpjm.org.pl

Year of establishment:  2009
President:                       Aleksandra Kalata-Zawlocka
Members:                        23 (hearing, CODAs, Deaf)

Trainings:                  

STPJM is a very young organisation. Our members are only getting professional knowledge. We believe we need to train ourselves, that is only STPJM members, before we move on to provide trainings to a wider public. 
Our internal trainings plan includes:

  • Polish for interpreters
  • English for interpreters
  • International Sign
  • Culture in interpreting
  • Team interpreting
  • Deaf interpreting
  • Voice emission
  • Meetings with spoken language interpreters

 

Most important events in the past year:

  • Establishing our association (March)
  • Developing the STPJM Code of Ethics (June)

In the initial stages of working on the STPJM Code of Ethics we referred to the Code of Ethics developed by RID as a model, but we had to introduce many modifications to adjust it to Polish reality and needs. The first draft of the Code was prepared by a special task group, then it was presented to and accepted by all STPJM members. Finally it was presented for consultation to Deaf Community members. 

  • Polish Sign Language and sign language interpreting summer camp (July)

In July STPJM was represented at the sign language camp organised in beautiful Polish mountains by the Institute of Polish Sign Language and the University of Warsaw. We delivered lectures on sign language interpreting, its situation in Poland and around the world, we talked about previous EFSLI conferences – in 2006 in Prague, and the last year’s – in Voorschoten.

  • Becoming EFSLI full member J (August)
  • A team of STPJM interpreters at the conference: DEAF VOICE NOW! II (August)

On the last days of August STPJM took part in a very important event in the Deaf community: DEAF VOICE NOW! II conference – organised by and for the Deaf, held in Polish Sign Language. We provided PL/PSL and PSL/PL interpreting and for the first time ever – lipspeaking services. Also for the first time in the Polish history of sign language interpreting a real team had worked together interpreting throughout a conference. This was an unforgettable experience both for interpreters and the conference participants.

Goals for the coming year:

  • Signing a trilateral agreement on cooperation with the Institute of Polish Sign Language and KOKON - Foundation for the Promotion of Deaf Culture
  • Co-organising with the University of Wroclaw a seminar on Polish Sign Language and sign language interpreting
  • Launching the IS and English trainings
  • Participating in EFSLI 2010 in Scotland