Country Report 2010
Presented by
FILSE (Federación Española de Intérpretes de Lengua de Signos y Guías-Intérpretes), the Spanish Federation for Sign Language Interpreters and Interpreter-Guides for the Deafblind.
www.filse.org
filse@filse.org
www.facebook.com/FILSE.org
FILSE (Federación Española de Intérpretes de Lengua de Signos y Guías-Intérpretes), the Spanish Federation for Sign Language Interpreters and Interpreter-Guides for the Deafblind.
www.filse.org
filse@filse.org
www.facebook.com/FILSE.org
General facts about Spain
• Size: 504.780 km²
• Population: 47,150,800 (as of 01.01.11)
• Deaf population: 1,000,000 approx.
1. Profoundly deaf: 120,000 approx.
2. Hard of hearing: 365,000 approx.
3. Problems in perceiving spoken language: 530,000 approx.
Around 150,000 deaf people use Spanish or Catalan Sign Language, but in addition to this, approximately 250,000 hearing people (such as interpreters, families, professionals and students) also use sign language.
• Size: 504.780 km²
• Population: 47,150,800 (as of 01.01.11)
• Deaf population: 1,000,000 approx.
1. Profoundly deaf: 120,000 approx.
2. Hard of hearing: 365,000 approx.
3. Problems in perceiving spoken language: 530,000 approx.
Around 150,000 deaf people use Spanish or Catalan Sign Language, but in addition to this, approximately 250,000 hearing people (such as interpreters, families, professionals and students) also use sign language.
Sign language interpreters
Interpreter Association:
FILSE (Federación Española de Intérpretes de Lengua de Signos y Guías-Intérpretes), the Spanish Federation for Sign Language Interpreters and Interpreter-Guides for the Deafblind.
www.filse.org
www.facebook.com/FILSE.org
filse@filse.org
Interpreter Association:
FILSE (Federación Española de Intérpretes de Lengua de Signos y Guías-Intérpretes), the Spanish Federation for Sign Language Interpreters and Interpreter-Guides for the Deafblind.
www.filse.org
www.facebook.com/FILSE.org
filse@filse.org
FILSE is an umbrella organization that groups together the regional associations of SLIs. Individual members affiliate to the regional associations.
There are 11 regional associations affiliated to FILSE and in total these associations have a total of around 560 individual members.
Number of Sign language Interpreters
We estimate the number of qualified sign language interpreters in Spain to be around 5000. There are accurate figures for the number of people who hold the official vocational training qualification (see next section for details): 3,037 (up to 2008). In the last three years (2009, 2010, 2011) another 1500 interpreters may have qualified (based on the numbers for previous years), giving a total of around 4,500. To this must be added those interpreters who trained up before the official qualification existed, and we estimate these to be about 500, based on a list drawn up as part of a recognition process for these pre-certificate interpreters (see Important events for more details).
The total figure of 5000 SLI includes both associated and non-associated members, as well as individuals who have obtained the official qualification but do not work as interpreters. We estimate that there between 500-1000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 500-1000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting working sign language interpreters in Spain (no exact figures are available).
Interpreter training:
In Spain there is only one official, legally recognised qualification. This qualification is obtained through the Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior en Interpretación de la Lengua de Signos (two-year vocational training course), which consists of 2000 hours divided into 11 modules:
o Spanish Sign Language
o Modern Language (English)
o Sociopsychology of Deaf and Deaf-Blind people
o Body Language (non-verbal communication)
o Interpretation Techniques
o Orientation on the labour market
o Linguistics of Spanish Sign Language
o Interpretation Contexts
o International Sign System
o Interpretation-Guiding for Deaf-Blind People
o Work placement (3 months) in organizations which employ Sign Language Interpreters (e.g. Deaf Associations, High Schools).
The Vocational training course is offered in around 50 different centres in Spain. Spain is in the unusual position of having a huge number of qualified SLIs (around 5000). Only a small proportion (we estimate between 15-20%) of these SLIs actually find work as interpreters due to a lack of provision of interpreting services.
In 2008, a university in Barcelona (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) began to offer sign language as one of the languages within the translation and interpretation degree program.
The University of Valladolid offers an official European Master specialized in training sign language interpreters for legal and educational settings. This course offers specialized training for SLIs who are already qualified.
As a result of the university reforms arising from the Bologna process, other universities are beginning to offer courses with sign language interpreting content, but there seems to be no co-ordination or regulation of these qualifications.
The training situation in Spain is currently in transition. On the one hand, it is not clear what status these new “official” university qualifications will have. On the other hand, it seems likely that the vocational training course will be terminated and SLI training will be provided at the university level, but there is currently no indication of how this will be implemented.
In 2008, a university in Barcelona (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) began to offer sign language as one of the languages within the translation and interpretation degree program.
The University of Valladolid offers an official European Master specialized in training sign language interpreters for legal and educational settings. This course offers specialized training for SLIs who are already qualified.
As a result of the university reforms arising from the Bologna process, other universities are beginning to offer courses with sign language interpreting content, but there seems to be no co-ordination or regulation of these qualifications.
The training situation in Spain is currently in transition. On the one hand, it is not clear what status these new “official” university qualifications will have. On the other hand, it seems likely that the vocational training course will be terminated and SLI training will be provided at the university level, but there is currently no indication of how this will be implemented.
Important events for FILSE 2010-2011
- FILSE continues to consolidate its status as the organization which represents the professional body of SLIs in Spain by maintaining relations with other national level organizations, by participating in working groups set up by governmental bodies and by supporting regional SLI associations in their own dealings.
- FILSE continues to work with National Deaf People’s Association (CNSE), to strengthen the relationship between both organizations. FILSE's president, Jose López, continues to participate as a member of the Board of the CNSE Foundation. (The CNSE Foundation is the sister organization of the National Deaf People's Association and works in the fields of training, research, employment opportunities and overcoming communication barriers.)
- FILSE continues to participate in the WASLI & EFSLI network as a full voting member.
- Stronger links with the spoken language interpreting community including participation in the publication of a Proposal for Community Interpreting.
- FILSE is establishing a database for material relating to the interpreting profession to register training programs, events, materials and publications.
- FILSE has updated its webpage and has created a facebook group.
Most important events for the situation of SLI in Spain:
- The Spanish Government recognized the sign languages of Spain in 2007. The full text of the law is available (in Spanish): http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2007/10/24/pdfs/A43251-43259.pdf In addition, Spain has various laws relating to Disability Discrimination. Several regional governments, such as Catalonia, Andalusia and Valencia give official recognition to sign language by means of the Regional Statues or specific regional laws.
- The setting up of a National Sign Language Centre by the Government and administered by the National Deaf People’s Association. The Centre’s objectives include planning and co-ordinating training in sign language and promoting material related to sign language interpreting.
Goals for the future:
- Improve working conditions and professional recognition for sign language interpreters and interpreter-guides for the deafblind.
- FILSE continues to work on a project to establish quality standards in interpreting. FILSE is creating a SLI Good Practice Guide that will serve as a reference for SLIs, clients and service providers. This Guide is based on the knowledge of the FILSE board and willing expert collaborators.
- To participate in events organised by the Spanish Deaf associations, such as the 75th anniversary of the National Confederation of the Deaf.
- To encourage the creation of SLI associations in the Spanish regions that currently do not have them.
- To collaborate with countries to help them foster the creation of associations and to develop the profession.
- To collaborate with oral interpreters.
- To organise a trainer’s course with EFSLI.
- To act as consultants to the public administration.
- To look for ways to participate in the recently created National Sign Language Centre.
- Oversee the transition of basic SLI training from the vocational to the university level working closely with the new National Sign Language Centre and the National Deaf People’s Association.