Interpreting of Czech Sign Language

The Czech Sign Language Interpreting Studies study programme is principally aimed at preparation of qualified experts providing interpreting and translation services for the citizens of the Czech Republic with hearing impairment who are entitled to such services under the current legislation (Act No. 155/1998 Coll., on communication systems of deaf and deafblind persons, as amended by Act No. 384/2008 Coll.). It is chiefly an interdisciplinary study programme combining theoretical linguistics and social services: Czech Sign Language is studied in the context of linguistic description of other natural languages, and it is used practically in services for deaf and hard of hearing persons.

The focus of the studies comprises three mutually interconnected areas: i) theoretical knowledge of general linguistics; ii) proficiency in Czech Sign Language; iii) specific professional expertise and interpreting skills.

Strong emphasis is placed on mastering Czech Sign Language, especially in the first part of the studies, as high level of proficiency is the basis for being able to work independently as a Czech Sign Language interpreter and translator. The involvement of native signers with pedagogical experience in the position of lecturers ensures that students will be in contact with the native form of Czech Sign Language. In addition, the theoretical linguistic apparatus allows them to understand the language as a system with well-defined rules. Despite its different physical implementation, it does not differ greatly in its abstract form from other natural languages. Such reflections make the learning process in practice faster and deeper. Expertise unrelated to language competence is acquired particularly in the field of social work (as interpreting is considered by law to be a social service in a number of cases), relevant Czech legislation and the Deaf community (e.g. cultural and historical context, differentiation of service recipients, etc.).

All the above-mentioned layers of the study programme are interwoven in practical interpreting courses, combining theoretical and practical training. A placement in organizations providing interpreting services is an integral part of the studies.

This programme is suitable for applicants who wish to work as Czech Sign Language interpreters as well as for those interested in social work and natural languages. By combining study programmes as well as by selecting optional courses to some extent, the students may narrow down their specialization. The combination with General Linguistics or any other philologically-oriented programme at Masaryk University creates a wide range of opportunities to study a natural language as a tool for discovering the world. It is also very advantageous to combine it with programmes focused on computational linguistics and natural language processing such as Czech Language with Orientation on Computational Linguistics at the Department of Czech Language at the Faculty of Arts or the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University. Combined with study programmes at the Faculty of Education or the Faculty of Social Science at Masaryk University, the graduate may specialize in special education or social work.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the graduate is able to:

• understand natural languages as systems of rules, analyze complex language structures and is able to explain and compare constituent grammatical structures in Czech and Czech Sign Language;
• master linguistic terminology and standard theoretical approaches within the field of modern linguistics;
• use Czech Sign Language at a level corresponding to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), communicate fluently with native signers, and apply the SignWriting system for sign language notation;
• analyse natural speech in Czech Sign Language in terms of linguistic perspective (individual language plans: phonology, morphology, syntax);
• analyse natural speech in Czech Sign Language in terms of language standard (deviation from standard speech norms) as well as the sociocultural point;
• understand the cultural and historical context of the Deaf community in the Czech Republic and beyond, and to mediate communication between Deaf individuals and the majority society with cultural sensitivity;
• to navigate the legislation governing social services, understand the structure of interpreting services in the Czech Republic, and independently address issues raised by service users, including those beyond the scope of interpreting itself;
• apply translation techniques between Czech Sign Language and spoken Czech at a minimum B2 level (CEFR), and produce grammatically and contextually appropriate output using the SignWriting system;
• recognise the ethical foundations of the interpreting profession and apply the code of ethics and quality standards relevant to Czech Sign Language interpreting;
• reflect on the values of the profession and make informed decisions regarding ethical issues and dilemmas that arise in the course of interpreting and translation work;
• to edit videos using specialized software and use the web editing interface on a multilingual electronic dictionary;
• perform cognitively and physically demanding tasks, including parallel processing, memory techniques, and refined motor skills such as movement coordination and facial expression essential for visual language;
• confidently and representatively perform in public and in front of the audience. His language skills are at a high level;
• collaborate effectively in teams and communicate with diverse client groups, while also managing time independently and performing reliably under stress.

The goal of a thesis is to compile the relevant expert literature with respect to the topic; collect and classify linguistic data, apply the theory from the literature on the data and form a conclusion.

The author should show that he is able to work with the expert literature, he can see the relation between data and theory, he can formulate his opinions and arguments in the form of a text that complies with given formal criteria.

Formal criteria on the text:

The minimal length is circa 50 000 characters. It is obvious that the ethical principles of scientific work are maintained (citation conventions).

However, it is not acceptable to compile the most part of the work using the paraphrasis of the literature.

The citations must be marked by the quotation marks and accompanied by the bibliographic source. It is also required to write the list of the used literature; using one of the standard formats. Within the whole thesis, it is necessary to use a unified system of referencing the literature. The sources that were not used by the author directly, are not registered in the list of literature. The language of the thesis is Czech.