Deaf Interpreter Conference 5
June 22 - 26, 2026
Workshops
Reflective Collaboration:
Strengthening English to ASL Translation Practice
Interpreting
.20 CEU
(PS)
Due to fiscal limitations, Deaf translators are often required to work independently when producing English to ASL translations, as collaborative team translation typically requires a larger project budget. This reality can create a silo effect that limits opportunities for reflection and critical examination of one’s translation practices. In response, the presenters developed a collaborative process in which they independently translated the same source materials, then reviewed each other’s work through structured, dialogic reflection. This process allowed them to identify recurring habits, assumptions, and tendencies they sought to change to improve translation quality, which allows them to strive for dynamic target texts.
This two-hour workshop begins with an overview of this collaborative translation model and its benefits for professional growth and translation accuracy. Participants will then work in pairs or triads to translate selected passages and engage in guided dialogue to analyze and reflect on their translation decisions together.
Carla Shird &
Naomi Sheneman
Carla Shird (she/her) is an African American Deaf Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Washington, D.C. She is passionate about supporting individuals in developing self-awareness, self-care, and meaningful connections in both personal and professional contexts. Carla has experience leading diversity-focused workshops, providing mentorship, offering mental health counseling, and consulting with individuals and organizations. Her work centers on helping people align with their values while navigating complex systems and professional environments.
Naomi Sheneman has been working professionally in the interpreting profession since 2000 in various roles. She is an interpreter, educator, consultant, researcher, and interpreter diagnostician. She is the first deaf woman to receive a Ph.D. degree in Interpretation and Translation from Gallaudet University in 2018. She gives presentations and trainings both nationally and internationally focusing on ethics, deaf interpreters’ work, power dynamics in interpretation, and medical interpreting. Her publications include Deaf interpreters’ ethics and translations, interpreting in international conferences, and power imbalances in interactions between deaf people and interpreters.