Interpreter | Consultant | Researcher | Trainer | Publisher
Are you a national sign language interpreter and English is not one of your native languages?
Do you want to learn how to work with English? Come on 15 & 16 April 2027 to Berlin to take the Training Interpreting from and to English Part I. Find all the information here >
Read MoreOn 26 September AIIC France & AFTILS organized in Paris an inspiring event on multilingualism and standards. I was delighted to represent the AIIC Sign Language Network and participate in a panel with Delphine Lemaire (EUD) on the importance of ISO and professional standards. Watch and read here our impression of the event >
Read MoreI was honored and delighted to be invited as keynote presenter at the efsli 2026 conference in Zagreb. Drawing on the results of the 2025 Europe-wide survey and longitudinal data covering 47 countries and regions, I provided insights into educational developments, challenges, and opportunities of signed language interpreters in Europe.
Read MoreBack in Prague last weekend for the Training for sign language interpreters, from and to English - Part I, with colleagues from Estonia, Switzerland, Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. What a treat to be working with such dedicated and fun colleagues!
Prague holds special memories, elected as efsli president 20 years ago and the many close collaborations with CKTZJ over the years since then. Thank you again CKTZJ for hosting and making this so special!
PRESS RELEASE, June 2026
A Comprehensive Guide to Sign Language Interpreting in Europe 2026 edition
A publication by Maya de Wit, PhD
Sign Language Interpreting in Europe, 2026 edition gives an overview of the organizations, educational programs, and employment situations of sign language interpreters in Europe. First published in the year 2001, this year’s guide is the seventh updated edition.
Read MoreThe German Association of Sign Language Interpreters (BGSD) invited me to present another two day training on Interpreting from and to English. It was a joy to work with colleagues from Germany, Iceland, Italy, and Finland. Looking forward to coming back in October 2026 for two more trainings Part I and Part II.
Read MoreExcited to share that my new article, “Interpreting from and to English as a third language for signed language interpreters,” has just been published. It explores the growing role of English as a lingua franca in Europe and what this means for national sign language interpreters working with English as an additional working language—highlighting current challenges and the need for clearer training routes.
Read MoreThe German Association of Sign Language Interpreters (BGSD) asked me to come to Berlin for the two day training Interpreting from and to English. The training was such a success, that three more trainings are planned in Berlin in June and October 2026. The training is open to national sign language interpreters from all countries.
Read MoreI was delighted to meet the Lithuanian Sign Language interpreters in Kaunas, where I delivered a two day training on Team Interpreting. A special thank you to Arunas Bražinskas and Ramune Leonaviciene for the invite and the opportunity to exchange best practices.
Read MoreThe two day training on interpreting from and to English is highly requested. I am delighted to add another training in Prague on 19 & 20 June in Prague as well as another Part I and II in Berlin in October 2026.
Looking forward to seeing you there: read here all about the trainings >
Read MoreCongratulations to the European Union of the Deaf on this new publication. Honored and delighted to have co-authored with Alexandre Bloxs the article "Mapping Sign Language Peoples: The urgent need for comprehensive data collection in the European Union." You can download the full publication for free.
Read MoreI am pleased to announce the publication of my article on quality standards in signed language interpreting, which has been published in the European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli) 2024 conference proceedings.
The article, which I originally presented at the efsli 2024 conference in Italy, explores the complex landscape of quality assurance in signed language interpreting across Europe.
Read MoreIn September 2025 Teckentolk in Örebro, Sweden, invited me to provide an onsite training on working from and to English. The sign language interpreters received a training in two groups, each group one day, and then continued their learning with three online sessions in October and November. Thank you Teckentolk and the Swedish Sign Language Interpreters for the kind invite and joint learning!
Read MoreI am delighted to offer another training opportunity in Berlin on 5 & 6 June 2026! Come and join the part I training on interpreting from and to English and your national sign language. During two days you can practice and acquire new knowledge and strategies on working with English.
More information and registration >
Read MoreThe final MITS seminar Professional Advances: Signed Language Interpreting & Translation Studies will be held on 9 & 10 October 2025 in Siena, Italy.
Nineteen professional signed language interpreters from nine European countries, the MITS students, will present and discuss their final research results. Their research in the field of interpreting and translation studies covers a wide variety of topics.
Here is your opportunity to acquire skills and strategies to interpret between your national sign language and English. Training Part I will take place in Berlin on 20 & 21 February 2026. As a sign language interpreter and a non-native English speaker, you are increasingly requested to work into and from English. This two day training will give you hands on practice and knowledge to learn linguistic and coping strategies to match these demands.
More information and registration >
Read MoreMITS is hosting their second online seminar on 22 March from 10.00 - 14.00 CET. The seminar will tackle a pressing and fundamental topic: the rights and risks of signed language translation and Interpretation in the context of the EU legal framework.
Read MoreHere is your opportunity to acquire skills and strategies to interpret between your national sign language and English. Training Part I will take place in Brussels on 11 & 12 April 2025. As a sign language interpreter and a non-native English speaker, you are increasingly requested to work into and from English. This two day training will give you hands on practice and knowledge to learn linguistic and coping strategies to match these demands.
More information and registration >
Read MoreCome and join signed language interpreters from across Europe in Part II of the training ‘Interpreting from and to English as a 3rd language’: 16 & 17 May 2025 in France!
Through intensive practice and the individual and peer feedback, you will enhance your acquired skills to work between English and your national sign language.
More information and registration >
Read MoreDelighted to be presenting at the upcoming AIIC webinar organized by AIIC Training and Professional Development (ATPD) and AIIC’s Sign Language Network (SLN) on 30 November from 14.00 - 16.00 CET. In this free two-hour online information session, you will learn what SLI is all about, why it is important to make it available at meetings, how and where it can be learned and taught, how SLI can be included in mixed teams with spoken language interpreters, and much more.
More info and free registration >
Read More© Maya de Wit, PhD | Sign Language Interpreting Consultancy
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