This episode explores sign language, its structure, and the experiences of being a sign language interpreter, featuring Siobhan Dodd, a British Sign Language interpreter, interviewed by Luke Thompson. The discussion begins with Dodd explaining the role of a sign language interpreter, emphasizing that it's not merely a word-for-sign translation but a complex process akin to interpreting spoken languages, and she shares her journey into becoming an interpreter, which started with an interest in Makaton and led to a university course and immersion in the deaf community. Against the backdrop of language learning, they discuss the challenges and confidence dips common to language acquisition, drawing parallels to stand-up comedy and the Dunning-Kruger effect. More significantly, the conversation covers the grammatical structure of sign language, regional variations, and the cultural aspects of the deaf community, including the concept of sign names. As the discussion pivots to Dodd's professional experiences, she recounts interpreting at Glastonbury for Fatboy Slim, highlighting the performance aspect of interpreting music and the need for confidentiality in her work. The episode concludes with a reflection on the current state of the deaf community, the potential impact of AI on interpretation, and a light-hearted exchange about favorite signs and the nuances of sign language.
