Inter- and Transcultural Mediation of Deaf and Hearing Sign Language Interpreters in Japan

Sign language interpreting plays a crucial role in ensuring effective communication between Deaf and hearing individuals, particularly in highly specialized settings such as court hearings and psychotherapy sessions. However, interpreting in these fields presents unique challenges, as it requires not only linguistic skills but also the ability to navigate cultural nuances, emotional contexts, and diverse communication needs. Despite the growing demand for professional interpreters, there is a paucity of research exploring how Deaf and hearing interpreters approach these complex tasks and the strategies they employ to address the specific demands of different interpreting settings.

This research project examines the practices of Deaf and hearing sign language interpreters in Japan, focusing on how they handle demands, interpret nuances, and adapt their interpreting strategies to individual Deaf sign language users. Key areas of investigation include the strategies employed by interpreters in the courtroom, psychotherapy sessions, conferences, and media, and how these strategies vary according to context and audience, as well as their adaptation to the linguistically and culturally diverse needs of Deaf sign language users. Furthermore, the study explores team interpreting dynamics, analyzing how interpreters collaborate, tackle challenges, and ensure consistency in their work.

The study’s findings will offer insights into the ongoing professionalization of interpreting and translation. It aims at contributing to research advancements and dissemination in interpreting and translation studies at local, regional, and international levels.

This presentation will outline the research project and offer a critical overview of the research methodology employed in the study, including an examination of the current progress and ongoing tasks within the project.

Junko Lévay is a doctoral student in the Department of Deaf Studies & Sign Language Interpreting at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. She obtained a BA in Slavonic Studies/Russian, a BA in Japanese Studies, and an MA in Interpreting Studies from the University of Vienna. From March to May 2025 she was a PhD student at the DIJ. For a brief outline of her current project, please refer to this video: https://jsl-interpreting-research.github.io/research/