At the invitation of the Multilingual Sign Language Translation and Interpreting Studies (MITS) program, which was launched in collaboration with Siena University and the Mason Perkins Deafness Fund ONLUS, Red T and AIIC gave a seminar outlining the current landscape of interpreters in conflict situations. They presented the two organizations’ major initiatives, among them the publication of safety guidelines to professionalize field linguists and the Open Letter Project, as well as delved into seminal criminal justice cases.

Prior to the event, the assignment for the post-graduate diploma students was to add to the Red T database by digitally scouring multiple media outlets of a selected country, region or conflict zone; tracking one or two incidents of T/I persecution, prosecution, imprisonment, abduction, torture or assassination; and providing a narrative analysis of the identified content. To structure their findings, students downloaded and completed the Red T Translator/Interpreter Incident Database Template. The student body enthusiastically responded to the assignment and contributed valuable data and critical analysis.

We thank course director Dr. Maya de Wit for extending this invitation and giving us the opportunity to introduce the Red T cause to her students.