Vice President Zane Hema and Alex at efsli 2008
REPORT | Poland 2008
by Aleksandra Kalata-Zawlocka
Attending this year’s efsli conference in Voorschoten, the Netherlands, I was not an „efsli-virgin”. I had been fortunate enough to participate in the efsli conference held in 2006 in Prague. After two years, the memories of that wonderful experience were still vivid: of all those amazing, lovely people I met, of all the inspiring knowledge I got from the presentations and discussions, the atmosphere of professionalism, cooperation, support, enthusiasm and friendship and above all – immense, unbelievable power to change the world.
In 2006 I came home from Prague with a burning need to initiate our own sign language interpreting revolution. I shared the absolutely innovative idea of team interpreting and even more unheard-of concept of Deaf Aides firstly with friends from the Institute of Polish Sign Language, then, at conferences where our sign language interpreters were needed, and finally at the University of Warsaw, where since the beginning of October 2008 our Deaf students have been observing with astonishment two teams of interpreters changing during lectures!
With all those unforgettable impressions of the previous conference in my mind, I came to Voorschoten to experience again the emotions that gave me so much strength and power. I also felt the need to talk about changes that have taken place in Poland since the Prague conference. I was proud to tell the efsli AGM participants about the increasing social awareness of Polish Sign Language and Deaf culture and about the start of the first university training for sign language interpreters. Most of all, however, I was happy to announce that we were about to establish the first association of sign language interpreters in Poland.
With all the things we managed to achieve after the efsli conference in 2006 I also came to Voorschoten to learn how to achieve more: develop in other areas, introduce new ideas, and progress with what we already have. And I was not disappointed. The conference theme itself was already highly promising – Third Language Interpreting – something we certainly miss in Poland. Presentations on the intricacies of relay interpreting, cognitive, linguistic and technical, provided first-class food for thought and a source of precious guidelines. Discussions in groups were an excellent opportunity to exchange experience, seek solutions and support each other in our strive for professionalism. Even coffee-break and dinner conversations were not without meaning, as they helped to refresh old and facilitated making new contacts, and filled one with the sense of not being alone.
I especially appreciated the idea of meeting the efsli board! Whether because I am rather shy by nature, or because I was to talk to the very board, I felt a bit overawed approaching the small table they were gathered at. But when I shaped myself up and talked to them I was utterly amazed how open, supportive and generous they all are! They made me believe that it is not a shame to ask for help and that this is what they are there for. Despite being just a small individual efsli member, I felt really exceptional, taken care of and welcome. I realised I can count on them, on efsli. It felt like a balm on my soul.
And I should not have been so surprised – after all, had not it been for efsli I would not have come to Prague, and had not it been for Prague, I would not have wanted to come to Voorschoten. In fact, I could not have come to Voorschoten had it not been for the wonderful invention of SAF! I will probably repeat what most of the SAF participants have said and will say: your support was priceless. It meant a great deal for me and, from what I know, for many sign language interpreters in Poland, and will surely directly translate into the improvement of communication services for the Deaf. The establishing procedures of our first interpreter association being in progress, we have already started working on what is a third language for the majority of interpreters in our group, that is English. We meet regularly to improve our knowledge of English and prepare for the next efsli conference in Estonia!
On my way home I relished the impressions of this year’s conference: great lectures, inspiring discussions, extraordinary hospitability and the great feeling that other people are happy with your success. One cannot also forget about the entertaining side of the conference. Well... WOW! I really loved it! I especially enjoyed song interpretations, they were absolutely amazing! To those who met the challenge of interpreting music – chapeau bas, my full tribute!
I do not know how I am to finish this report as I have still so many good words to say about the conference... Maybe I will just finish with what came to me as I was relishing the impressions of the conference, namely that efsli is like a gardener. It has its gardens in different parts of the world – the associations. Interpreters are the flowers in the efsli gardens. Some gardens are in full bloom, others are just developing their first stubs. Efsli is a very good gardener, hardworking, thoughtful and passionate. It nourishes its flowers with new ideas, stimulates their growth with its advice and guidance, sometimes applies extra conditioner where needed. To admire results of its hard work, efsli organises annual exhibitions where it gathers its flowers to share their beauty with others and tell about the gardens they come from.
Just a few last words: immense THANKS for efsli and the Dutch Association of Sign Language Interpreters for having me at your magnificent conference. As a new fanatic of SAF I will also spread knowledge about it throughout Poland, encouraging others to believe that good things happen!
Hugs and kisses for all of you, great people,
Aleksandra Kalata-Zawlocka
Institute of Polish Sign Language