The practice of song signing is becoming increasingly visible, sparking vibrant discussions across the interpreting and Deaf communities. While it continues to be celebrated and critiqued in equal measure, what remains clear is this: the demand for sign-language-interpreted music is growing rapidly in the UK. For interpreters, understanding the cultural, theoretical, and practical nuances of this work is essential.
This interactive CPD session offers sign language interpreters the opportunity to explore the rich variety of translation strategies used in musical performance. Designed for interpreters with or without prior experience in this area, the session draws on international examples and is underpinned by current theoretical approaches and practitioner insights.
What to Expect:
Across two hours, we’ll blend brief theoretical framing with hands-on exploration, looking specifically at how interpreter-performers in different countries and sign languages (Australian, British, Dutch, and Italian) approach the translation of music and lyrics.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about diverse strategies used by interpreter-performers to translate lyrics and musical elements
- Recognise how different sign languages and cultural contexts influence these strategies
- Reflect on the role of the interpreter in facilitating access to music for Deaf audiences, rather than performing for hearing enjoyment
Workshop Structure:
- Theoretical introduction – a short overview to ground our thinking
- Presentation of translation strategies – real-world examples across different sign languages
- Breakout discussions – group reflections and knowledge-sharing
Whether you're curious about entering this area of work or looking to deepen your understanding, this session offers a supportive space to learn, reflect and connect with others in the profession.
2 x Structured CPD points
Trainer: Dr Angela Tiziana Tarantini (University of Utrecht)
Language of Instruction: English
Notetaker present: TBD
Cameras on or off? Preferably on
Active/Passive Participation?
· Section 1 and 2: passive, though questions to speaker encouraged
· Section 3: active (but not compulsory)
Recorded? No
About the Trainer
Angela Tiziana Tarantini obtained her PhD in Translation Studies at Monash University in Melbourne (Australia) in 2017 with a thesis on Theatre Translation. Before relocating to Australia for her doctoral research, she worked as sessional tutor and lecturer of English as a Foreign Language in several Italian universities (University of Milan-Bicocca, Polytechnic Institute of Turin, University of Eastern Piedmont). During and after her doctoral studies, she worked as Teaching Associate for Translation and Interpreting Studies, Linguistics, and Italian Studies for the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash University. After obtaining her PhD she also worked as external supervisor for the School of Journalism at Melbourne University.
In 2021 she was awarded a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship for a project titled “When Accessibility Becomes Performance: Sign Language Interpreting in Music and Live Concert as ‘Performative Rewriting’”[1], which she carried out at Cardiff University (UK). Her project analysed sign language interpreted music as a translation and performative practice. She is currently Assistant Professor of Translation Studies at the Department of Languages, Literature and Communication.
[1] The project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 101024733.
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