Deaf Interpreter Conference 5
June 22 - 26, 2026
Workshops
Redefining the Role:
An Evidence-Based Framework for Deaf Interpreters in the Courtroom Pt. 1 & 2
Legal
.15 CEU
(PS)
This session introduces a groundbreaking framework for intralingual interpreting, developed by Christopher Tester as part of his 2021 doctoral research. Drawing on Goffman's (1981) participation framework and translanguaging theory (García & Li Wei, 2014; Kusters et al., 2017), the framework categorizes strategies such as strategic omissions, paraphrasing, signposting, register adjustment, and spatial positioning that Deaf interpreters use to navigate complex courtroom interactions. Attendees will explore the framework’s theoretical foundations and practical components, gaining insights into how these strategies enhance communication and equity in legal interpreting.
Deaf interpreters interested in further developing practical skills for applying this framework may wish to attend Workshop 3, which builds on the foundational concepts introduced here.
Christopher Tester
Christopher Tester, PhD, is a Deaf interpreter, consultant, and educator with over 15 years of experience in legal, conference, and international settings. He is the founder of With Direction, LLC, a Deaf-led firm that promotes equitable and culturally responsive communication. Christopher was invited by Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) to develop a course on sign language translation as part of its new interpreting program. His contributions emphasized defining translation as a distinct discipline and incorporating Deaf-led practices into the curriculum. He previously served as a professor at Gallaudet University and spent more than seven years as an interpreter educator in the ASL-English Interpreting Program at CUNY in New York City. He holds a PhD in Interpreting and Translation Studies from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, where his research introduced the first intralingual interpreting framework specifically designed for Deaf interpreters. Christopher is also an accredited member of AIIC and WFD-WASLI.