Sign language interpreting (GSD) is still a relatively new discipline worldwide, one that is often closely linked to the recognition of the respective sign language and to social and legal achievements. Since the profession’s inception, issues of dependency and power have been increasingly considered and discussed over time; at the same time, as the discipline has become more professionalised, it has distanced itself from sign language communities.
Structures of dependency persist and lead to tensions between interpreters’ professional responsibilities and empowerment movements within the communities. Furthermore, within society as a whole, SLI is increasingly viewed as a solution for inclusion, which results in other issues being neglected and thus reinforces power dynamics. There is therefore a need for greater awareness of power relations at the individual, institutional and structural levels. In doing so, it is important to take into account not only audism and ableism, but all intersectional forms of marginalisation.
It is evident that a lack of knowledge in this area, as well as certain ways of dealing with existing privileges, frequently give rise to paradoxical discourses and defensive reactions.
As part of a scoping workshop from 29 to 31 July 2026, a critical stock-taking exercise is to take place, involving national and international researchers as well as representatives of sign language communities. The workshop will be conducted exclusively in sign language (DGS and IS), supported by interpreters. The workshop will utilise the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach. The aim is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the current situation and to develop prospects for the future of sign language interpreting.
Through its ‘Scoping Workshops’ funding scheme, the Volkswagen Foundation aims to contribute to the reflection upon and further development of both disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields of research and research communities. As part of this funding programme, researchers are given the opportunity to take stock of the current state of their field during an interactive working meeting with other researchers and, building on this, to develop perspectives for its future development.
The workshops take place on fixed dates at the Schloss Herrenhausen Conference Centre in Hanover.
In order to achieve the workshop’s objectives, the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach (Whitney & Trosten-Bloom, 2010) will be used. This approach is particularly well-suited to conducting a critical review of the current situation, identifying potential, defining the prerequisites for development opportunities, and shaping future research approaches. In order to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the current situation and development prospects for sign language interpreting, the following process will be followed:
1. Definition: Clarification of the workshop topic
2. Discovery: Taking stock using World Cafés
3. Dream: Visioning – prerequisites for structural changes in the field of sign language interpreting
4. Design: Design – critical perspectives on research needs and practice-oriented approaches in the field of sign language interpreting, involving T*deaf communities
5. Destiny: Position paper