efsli conrefernce: From Experience to Credentials

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In many European countries, university-level education for sign language interpreters remains limited or entirely absent. As a result, Deaf communities often rely on informal interpreting, frequently provided by family members or acquaintances acting “out of goodwill.” While these practices are often well-intentioned, they reinforce the harmful misconception that sign language interpreting is a personal favour rather than a skilled professional service. This undermines both the quality of access and the recognition of interpreting as a profession.

In other contexts, aspiring interpreters attend short seminars or informal courses delivered by self-appointed educators rather than accredited academic institutions. Such pathways frequently lack a coherent pedagogical foundation and fail to meet the standards required for professional practice. The consequences include inconsistent interpreter quality, fragmented certification systems, and a continued struggle for professional legitimacy in countries without formal degree programmes.