Robert Skinner

This paper reports on findings from an international survey of sign language interpreters who have experience of working remotely via video link, either in a video relay service or as a video remote interpreter. The objective of the study was to identify the common issues that confront interpreters when working in these remote environments and ascertain what aspects of interpreting remotely via a video link are working successfully. The international reach of this survey demonstrates how working remotely via video link can be an integral part of bringing about social equality for deaf sign language users; yet according to interpreters who work in these services, ineffective video interpreting policies, poor public awareness and lack of training are identified as areas needing improvement.

Research on adult sign language users have consistently found an effect of iconicity, where signs that contain a higher level of imagistic properties a processed differently compared to signs with arbitrary form (Thompson, Vinson, & Vigliocco, 2009; Thompson, Vinson, & Vigliocco, Submitted; Vinson, Thompson, Skinner, & Vigliocco, 2009). Studies which have found an effect of iconicity have mainly been on‐line semantic processing tasks (Thompson, et al., 2009; Vinson, et al., 2009). Recently, the effect of iconicity has also been detected for a single phonological parameter, handshape, using a phonological decision task. Participants were asked to make a phonological judgment, is the hand bent or straight? A crucial aspect to this paradigm was access to meaning was unnecessary (Thompson, Vinson, & Vigliocco, Submitted). Yet the iconicity of a handshape was found to permeate the language processing system causing a slow down in recognition. Thus demonstrating the significant, and potent, role iconicity has within sign language processing.

The current study has extended the phonoogical decision paradigm to a second phonological parameter, movement. As opposed to the Thompson et al., (Submitted) handshape phonological decision paradigm, the iconicity of a movement was found to have a facilitation effect. This positive outcome was due to the compatible overlap between task (does the sign move up/down) and meaning (things that go up/down).

This MA study is the first of its kind since it brings together and analyses the types of variations found within the British Sign Language (BSL) cardinal number system. The study is not a complete representation of the various systems that exist in the UK as there are still many left undocumented. However, as an MA study it provides a starting point to understanding some of the variations that do exist and what appear to be the rules that
govern these systems.

Overall, this research demonstrates that there is more to BSL numbers than mere handshapes. From analysing the different phonological parameters (movement, internal movement, location & orientation) one can appreciate the complex laws that are
embedded in BSL cardinal numbers.