Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Clamor for standardization, harmonized pay rates; separating the myths and reality.

Demand for professional signed language interpreters is high in Kenya and the continent of Africa. This demand for quality has no borders, it is multi-ethnic, multilingual, multicultural and multidisciplinary. On the other hand there is hardly any leading university in the country training professionals for high level quality work output. We have individual crusaders demanding respect for the profession, defending professional practice and gaining recognition in their own small way. Many new and beginners are ruthlessly competing for job and space to grow, the ecosystem does not provide for them the platform to thrive. At this crossroads there is a clamor often misplaced in my opinion for standardization, harmonized remuneration, pay scales and grades.

The myths associated with these voices are numerous, they range from over reliance on government to provide jobs to unfounded fears of competition and self-preservation of the interpreter.  

Myth number one: We must involve government in all our efforts to organize our profession.

Many people from the villages especially those coming from the agricultural zones often come with the mentality of government subsidies, permanent jobs and government controls how you work mentality. The argument is often that the government is the largest employer and for them to work with any profession, they must be organized, harmonized and follow some standard. There is place of government and I do respect that, public service interpreting within government should be organized and planned well.

Myth number two: there are too few jobs, grab, grab, grab and charge less than the competition.

Newly qualified or experienced interpreters have the tendency to undercut their competition by charging less, grabbing anything that comes to them. They believe the jobs are too few and the more you grab the less you charge the more you will have.

Myth number three: interpreting is easy, I know sign language at least the basics I can interpret

There is a breed of individuals who having seen interpreters on TV, saw an interpreter at their church or read about the wonderful job the interpreters do. They are ill-advised to attend a two or three months course and jump to want to interpret at a news bulletin, high level government meeting. Some have uncles and aunties working in corporations and they are able to get connections to contracts, they fumble through the assignments and offer poor services to the clients.

Myth number four: if only we had policies, we will be fine

Most noise I hear about rules, policies or standardization are disjointed, un-researched and unfounded, hearsay. There is confusion on what laws is needed, is it a guideline? Could it be policies? A legislation perhaps? None of the voices can really tell you for a fact what is needed, there is a mixture of legalese being hurled right left and center…..

Myth number five: the field is too small we can’t specialize

Perhaps the most profound of all the myths is this one. For some reason all interpreters you will meet will tell you how the field is too small, you have to do everything. You cannot just interpret songs in church you need to do something serious like meetings, conferences, medical, legal and media – actually the news – current affairs, business, sports news and finish with the panel discussions to earn that money…..no one will pay you to interpret sports alone, the employers will not hear of it….we can’t specialize, we have not reached that level like the US or Europe they are quick to point out.

Reality 1

The reality is jobs by the governments are shrinking, they are privatizing most of their corporations and adopting non-governmental structures to run their businesses. Europe and US have robust private sectors that and operated efficiently. Government jobs are available in some areas – we can say the government in Kenya will employ some interpreters in some parastatals, in some state owned corporations BUT how many are they? How many interpreters will be absorbed in these jobs? Considering all the other issues surrounding corrupt officials, nepotism and bribery? Will the est and qualified interpreter have the best odds to go into government jobs?

What is the track record of government in successfully creating and sustaining a profession? Business opportunity? Look at the maize, sugar, milk industries…let me not go into coffee and tea we need to ask ourselves what are the things we can guide government to help us achieve, how far do we involve the officers in our profession – for overall legal framework and enforcement of the same yes definitely however if we are innovative we will realize that government is always a step or two behind any new emerging innovation – we have witnessed the same with m-pesa, e-commerce and medical setting – you have to invent, operate then government comes to learn and see how to regulate you by introducing laws and squeezing out tax from your profits.

The reality is we need government – not all of it. We have to create ur own mechanisms that are frame worked and based on laws existing or we create the laws to support our work.

Reality 2

The cake is too big and enough for everyone. I repeat, the cake is too big and enough for everyone. There is no need to hoard, fight, squabble and clique your way to hedge jobs, clients or fields. There are approximately 2 million Deaf Kenyans, there are roughly 2,000 interpreters with another 5,000 persons who know Kenyan Sign Language. Are the service providers enough to warrant panic? Can we say that at any one moment all the interpreters are engaged? Lets just remember that we have a big enough country for all of us, we all can get our corner and be able to survive, earn a living – competition is good and healthy as long as it create a better you, improves your service and propel you to innovate. If it is to blow out the other persons candle or stifle their growth, we miss the point.

Reality 3

Interpreting is not rocket science and it is not kids play either. There is a level of learning, practice and competency that one has to attain to be able to interpret accordingly. There are no perfect interpretations – 80-90% near accuracy can be realized when there is a lot of interplay between fluency, cultural relevance and skills to provide equivalence for the languages involved. My friends from KISE and River Road training services it is unfortunate you passed through the wrong service lane, it s never too late – join the correct language school and learn, it will pay off. There are many who followed that long path and today they are able to communicate with the clients. The secret to improved performance is having the correct disposition, teachable attitude and readiness to learn. Practice….make interpreting your number one, add al the other things to it not the other way round

Reality 4

Rules are good. They give order and offer the framework to peace and harmony. In the absence of a framework chaos prevail. However looking at the Matatu industry, agriculture specifically dairy, maize sub sectors, sports industry – football, rugby, athletics subsectors and how the government has messed up the industries with substandard frameworks. In an economy where the public service is seen as a vehicle to get rich and private entities provide alternative services it is difficult to have essential services that are uniform and

Reality 5

The future belongs to specialized individuals not the generalists. The employer is looking for high level skills – the days of I know word processing I need a job are over nearly all graduates know office packages, how many can code, design a website, create a game for the phone? Specialization in the broadest term is what we are to aim for. Know the foundation stuff, interpret for the chief, the hospital visit or at the police station BUT go ahead and be a public administration specialist interpreter able to work with local county government, a medical interpreter able to work with the hospitals during emergencies and epidemics, legal interpreter able to work with all the courts system.

by

Jack Owiti, owitie@gmail.com, +254723343516 @owitie theDancingInterpreter

Institute of Sign Language (ISL), Nairobi, Kenya

KSL Cover Huyu Yesu by Mercy Masika & Angel Benard

When I started this blog, I wanted to address the lack of documentation of Kenyan Sign Language, Deaf Culture and History in Kenya and rest of Africa. Back then the cost of hosting a website was inhibiting and not much was available to go by as far as development of applications, websites or programs.

Almost twenty years on and we now have a lot of info on the internet and numerous apps popping up everywhere. There is still struggle with the cost of internet, cost of data used on cellphones and we are yet to benefit from the land to sea cables heralded in the turn of the new millennium as the salvation of the data depraved country.....

Some of the issues impeding the utilization of data in Eastern Africa are cost of gadgets and cost of data - the costs have considerably been getting more and more affordable due to competition and demand/supply dynamics, secondly there is a level of appreciation of the use of data among the population however this is still low.

I would like to share more videos but am constantly aware that the many Deaf Kenyans will not enjoy the music due to the cost involved for downloading and viewing these videos - maybe an offline engagement would work? I have pondered about the idea of a "Caravan of Champions" a bus/truck that would go round the schools for the Deaf and showcase champions from across the country and have a weekend of mentoring and fun with Deaf students.

So as you enjoy the videos know that there are thousands of Deaf Kenyans hoping to enjoy the videos as you do and this can be made possible by you and me joining hands together to make schools for the Deaf in Kenya connected to the internet, have electricity and of course have teachers who know and are fluent native signers of Kenyan Sign Language and not all the gibberish stuff of total communication, lipreading and signed exact English ( I have always wondered why they never did a Signed Kiswahili for schools.....it would be funny to gesture works like tahamaki, jicho pevu, kizungumkuti na mustakhbal) 

Enjoy this Video - KSL Cover Huyu Yesu by Mercy Masika & Angel Benard

Why KSLIA – Looking Back, 2015 and Beyond

When we founded KSLIA in September of 2000 the twenty people present on that day represented the face of interpreting then. We were both young and old, novice and pros, we were male and female, black and white and we agreed that the association would look at the following issues. For the past 14 fourteen years we have barely touched on the fundamental mandate of the association. I would like to take a moment and look back at where we have come from, where we are and where we ought to be as an association.

Talking to many interpreters in Nairobi and elsewhere there is an apparent lack of understanding of the reason why KSLIA was formed, its mandate and objectives. This has resulted in KSLIA having fewer members, near zero activities and no secretariat. The apathy is reasonable for there are several contributing factors. The successive change of office bearers and lack of continuity could be an attributing factor – while it is a good thing to have new leadership, it is disastrous when you have successive regime lacking the vision or continuity of the former. This could be the curse of membership organizations while it provides for the sovereign will of the people it also allows for dictatorial and self seeking individuals to manipulate their way into leadership through short lived popularity, promise of a better tomorrow and often inactivity.

Between the year 2000 and 2006 KSLIA infant years saw a core group of leaders emerge and spearhead the push for recognition of Kenyan Sign Language. The founding members found themselves useful in this direction working with the Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD) which was by then struggling to stand, suffocating in the murky froth of mismanagement, blurred vision and mixed up priorities the same curses of membership organizations. Despite the setbacks there was still little success – the Constitution Review Commissions provided a disability caucus that saw KNAD have a permanent voice through the Chairman and the representatives of women and affiliate branches.

Many of the interpreters grew in their work both in numbers and in fields of service. Much of the training of interpreters remained at the 844 complex, quasi association with the deaf and deaf organizations. Prior to these there was a series of regional training and workshops. Then KNAD temporarily closed shop due to lack of funds and frustrations with the funding agencies – Swedish SHIA. This did not dampen the push for language recognition. You may be asking why was language recognition such an important thing? Well, for Deaf communities to be liberated, governments and communities must recognize and accept Signed Languages as part of the social political and economic medium of information sharing and communication. World Federation of the Deaf says this about National Signed Languages “......State parties (national governments) should make their laws that allow for the Recognizing and promoting the use of sign languages.....to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice....”

The long and short of those five or six years was it laid the foundation for the insertion of the words Kenyan Sign Language in the constitution – both the Bomas, Kilifi and Wako drafts. The emergence of the Deaf Aid white paper – that claimed in part that there was shortage of interpreters in Kenya woke KSLIA into action with meetings, elections, workshops and training of more interpreters in collaboration with Global Deaf Connections. These training created a movement that sort to raise the standards of interpretation services. The years following 2007, 08, 09 saw the association conduct several workshops culminating in the first and second National Interpreters Forums – the reports are available, these were indeed golden moments.

Comes 2010 and the Kenyan government endorses and adapts the new constitution. Many things begin to change. First, Kenyans Sign Language becomes an academic and exam subject in Kenyan schools – primary and secondary – the clarity, appropriateness and cultural relevance aside – it is a great step and achievement for the Deaf in Kenya and the rest of Africa. Secondly, the Constitution of Kenya recognizes KSL as one of the language the government would promote the development and use of, it also sets it as one of the languages of the bicameral parliament. This is an achievement many enjoy without the cognizance that KSLIA or the members that makes it were in the driving seat of making this dream a reality, of course we would not have achieved it without the presence, counsel and contribution of the Deaf community – KNAD.

Four years later the little gains seems to be forgotten. Many interpreters now enjoy the opportunities presented with the decades of successful advocacy. We now have many interpreters employed by the universities, media houses, local NGOs, private businesses and government agencies....much more is that many Deaf Kenyans have found opportunities to earn livelihoods. Amidst this budding success, there are turncoats spoiling the party. The sourpuss selfseeking and ignorant idiots are chipping away at the success. The monkey now judges the trees, there is little regard to KNAD nor KSLIA, there are various opportunities and sources of little monies and the facilitators of communication looks down upon the client and asks questions like – who is KNAD? Why should we consult KNAD? We are independent, there are many deaf organizations out there why should we look to one? KSLIA has no mandate to regulate, discipline or criticize an interpreter so they say-- I am bowed in shame as I listen and see reckless statements coming from various interpreters both novice and experienced. Maybe it is time we restate and affirm the core mandate of KSLIA so that all and sundry will know what they are and begin to appreciate the reasons we established it.

As a founding chair and long serving member of KSLIA, I will en-devour to endear you to KSLIA by answering the following questions candidly and objectively as possible. Hoping that by the end I will have convinced you to be associated with KSLIA just as a member or as an agent of change for the KSLIA we want for 2015 and beyond.

1. To secure official recognition by the Government of S.L Interpreters profession

The number one mandate for KSLIA is to seek recognition by government. This is only achievable by the legal framework which most professions have. If you think of doctors, lawyers, teachers, secretaries or accountants there is a law that governs the training, certification, remuneration and business ethics. KSLIA has a window of opportunity with the following legal framework avenues available in 2015 and beyond.

Firstly there is amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act – this act talks of interpretation services but does not define who an interpreter is, what they do or how to train them. Secondly there is the Language Policy law that the implementation schedule alludes to. Herein is the golden most opportunity to define interpretation/translation professions as central to languages. Thirdly the open door exists in creation of a separate law – KSL Bill I have called it so in my earlier article “Beyond Recognition of KSL 2014” Prosperity will judge us harshly if we squandered these opportunities. Why should I as an interpreter be excited to be affiliated with KSLIA? This task is huge to be left for a few people to manage, it behooves us to join hands and make it happen.

2. Encourage and promote initiatives in improving the standards of SL interpreting and interpreter training and pay scale of interpreters depending with their level and skills of interpretation through certification.

With a legal frame certification, pay scales and standards will automatically be regularized. The initiatives here would include working with academic institutions, consumer organizations and professional associations.

3. Cooperation with other recognized bodies concerned in the welfare of the deaf and in provision of S.L Interpreters throughout the world.

KSLIA need to revitalize its relationship with KNAD. Globally it needs to be members of WASLI, WFD and other regional bodies. There is budding interpreter communities in Ethiopia, Uganda and South Africa that KSLIA could affiliate with and join with.

4. Awareness creation on Deafness and SL. Interpreters through publication of information materials

Apart from this blog, a few academic papers there is still a lot of documentation that is needed. KSLIA need more scholars, writers and researchers who will place it on the global map. The avenues are numerous with the advent of social media.

5. To collect and raise funds for the achievement of goals and objectives through membership fee, subscription, contribution, gifts or donations, commissions and payments, fund raising whether in money or otherwise from both members and non members.

The five technical working groups – membership, training, systems, fundraising and publicity need to be nurtured and supported through an office with staff, volunteers and leaders. The only way to support this is to recruit members both hearing and deaf interpreters – yes deaf interpreters it is the only way to create the bridge between the Deaf and the interpreters world. Why should I pay my membership? It will help KSLIA be able to achieve the objectives above.

6. To maintain and administer a register of S.L Interpreters in Kenya.

The key to the success of this lies in the implementation of the legal framework that would establish a registry. With an education system that teaches the craft, a certification system it would be easy to list all those who qualify to be interpreters and thus administering a register would be possible.

What is the mandate of KSLIA? As enumerated above, the mandate is very clear and offers us a starting point, to build a professional association it is incumbent on us to ask why does KSLIA exist? What is my role as an interpreter in Kenya in 2015? This club is nothing without you, by you and you alone can it grow. There are open opportunities to join as a student interpreter, a practicing interpreter – the membership fee is very affordable.

KSLIA salutes all past and present members who have sacrificed their time and energy to make the association work. It will one day pay and show, it might seem a bleak future with all the uncertainties and confusions – there is a ray of hope and light at the end of the tunnel – there are many new people joining the profession, many learning institutions are interested in employing interpreters and government is eager than before to provide access to information to its citizens. We are at the verge of a great time....we stand to gain much in fulfilling the mandate of this association.

Currently KSLIA needs volunteers to work in the five technical working groups or committees it requires lawyers, fundraising professionals, PR gurus, managers, trainers etc the list is endless. How do I benefit as a member? Well the benefits are not much remuneration wise, however you stand the golden opportunity to impact a growing profession in many different ways and build your professional resume. The networking opportunities both locally and internationally are immense,

Author by Jack Owiti, Former Chairperson KSLIA 2006 - 2009. Interpreter, Translator and Sign Linguistics Scholar - Nairobi, Kenya

Tribute to the Late Eunice Amolo Kasisi

 

"I started learning Sign Language to be able to share the Word of God and my testimony with my Deaf brethren." 

This past month of June the Kenyan Deaf community lost one of the founding members of the interpreter professions in Kenya. Eunice Amolo Kasisi passed on peacefully in her home the night of 14^th June 2014. Many tributes and messages of condolence poured in from the local and international community that worked with Eunice. Her body was laid to rest 28th June 2014 in her home town of Webuye, Kenya. 

 Here is a summary tribute from her family, colleagues and friends:

When Eunice was 19, she accepted Jesus as her Savior. The same year Eunice became a Christian, her hearing church started a Deaf congregation. She became friends with the wife of the minister of the Deaf congregation. The wife was a sign language interpreter. Eunice was so touched by the first Deaf church service she attended that she felt it was the right place for her to serve the Lord.

It took one year of hours and hours spent with Deaf people for her to learn Sign Language, and another year to be able to interpret during some services. In 1990 she started working for the Deaf Church in Nairobi. She stayed for eight years. In 1998 she went back to school to learn how to be an interpreter trainer a journey that took her to Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. She also visited Sweden and Australia as an interpreter.

During the earlier years of her interpreting career Eunice worked with various start up projects within the Deaf community in Kenya. Notably these included: Deaf Safaris, East Africa Deaf Connection later to re-brand to Global Deaf Connection – GDC that trained several deaf teachers in their cycle of success program. While working for the Peace Corps she became one of the 12 founding members of the Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association – KSLIA as the treasurer in the year 2000 – 2006. Eunice faithfully served the Deaf Kenyan community in various capacities as an interpreter at KSLRP, KNAD, WFD/RSESA, Deaf churches and numerous individuals - we will all miss and remember her zeal, passion and dedication.

In January of 2003, she started working at DOOR-Africa DCLTC (Deaf Christian Leadership Training Center) as the Office Manager. In 2007 she also began working as a "hearing facilitator" assisting the Deaf translation teams. In 2009 she started working full-time as a Translation Consultant-in-Training. She is very close to being the very first Kenyan Translation Consultant with a specialty in Sign Language. Eunice is survived by Charles: Husband (hearing) Children: Ian and Meagan (hearing)

2015 and beyond we will miss a friend, a colleague, an administrator, an interpreter, a trainer and a valuable member of the Deaf community in Eastern Africa. Fare thee well, Rest in Peace! 

Other tributes 

Kapansa Lizzie Kamukwamba i have known Eunice during the two years we spent in the RSRLPII. she was such a wonderful person to get along with. Eunice, u will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace dear sister.

Christine Pillah It's was an honor to have met you personally, being part of my sister's life..it's trully sad but it's all God's doing Rest in Heaven Eunice

Leonida Tausi Kaula

June 15 at 8:34am

Eunice Kasisi, as one of the kenyan pioneer interpreters, you have served the deaf diligently and mentored many interpreters. R.I.P colleague R.I.P.

Marion Kemuposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 24

so sad your gone forevr rest in inernal peace

Johnson Dei-Kusiposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 20

May your soul rest in eternal and perfect peace. We will always remember you. At DOOR international you taught me to obey God's word.

Michie Sheen Nandamaposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 20

May your soul rest in eternal peace R.I.P

Michie Sheen Nandamaposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 20

May your soul rest in eternal peace R.I.P

Debby Iyuteposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 20

What a lovely woman u were, RIP Eunice

Mary Helen Howell Bush

June 17

It's always sad to lose a friend. My prayers of comfort go out to the family ofEunice Amollo Kasisi, someone with a heart of gold.

David Frederic Bush Eunice's heart was pure gold. She was willing to help the deaf in Nairobi no matter what the time, the cost or inconvenience. She truly had a servant's heart. Her loss will be felt by many.

Waithaka Kamauposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 16

R.I.P Eunice Amollo Kasisi l will always remember you as a friend, a good mother and a mentor. I pray that you are happy wherever you are. Gone too soon sister.

Nyabuti Evansposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 16

I knew you when the door had a seminar at sunset. Am so griefed that you are no longer with us. May the almight rest your soul in peace.

Lillie Aseweposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 15

R.I.P Eunice Amollo Kasisi! May the good Lord comfort your family at this time of grief.

Kenny Aseweposted to‎Eunice Amollo Kasisi

June 15

R.I.p dear Eunice Amollo Kasisi