Website captures complex genetics jargon in British Sign Language
Researchers are consulting with Deaf people to find out how the complex terminology used in modern medicine can be made more accessible to people who use a visual language.
Researchers in The University of Manchester ‘s Social Research with Deaf People (SORD) group and Nowgen, Manchester’s centre for genetics in healthcare (part of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), are carrying out the study. It has a particular focus on how health professionals and Deaf people communicate genetic and medical terms in British Sign Language (BSL).
“We want to find out about the signs Deaf people use for technical medical topics, like those they might come across in clinical settings,” said Rachel Belk, who is carrying out the research for her PhD project.
“The subject matter is often new and can pose communication difficulties in any language, so we want to identify the specific problems which may arise when translating information about things like genetics between BSL and English.”
The researchers say that good translation is not simply a question of using the ‘right signs’ to define medical terminology. Sometimes there are no agreed signs yet in existence. In other cases the signs most commonly used might be misleading. As a visual language, signs reveal the concept. If the concept is not clearly understood, the sign that has become commonplace may actually hinder, not assist, understanding. This study asks people about signs-in-use and their preferences when communicating in BSL about complex medical and healthcare information.
“A principal aim is to gain a detailed understanding of the Deaf people’s preferences and ask them how they think this type of information should be communicated in BSL in order for it to be accessible and meaningful,” said Rachel. “Deaf BSL users are central to the study, as their views will allow us to incorporate existing signs that are preferred by Deaf people into future information resources.” [Note for BSL translation: resources might include websites or DVDs with BSL videos or visual information such as diagrams or animations]
The study questionnaire can be accessed on the internet in BSL or written English. It presents genetic and medical information in BSL and asks Deaf people what they like and don’t like about the different contexts and styles in which medical terms are explained and the signs that are used. It also asks how information services can be improved.
Participants can choose to complete the survey in BSL by webcam, written English or spoken English or a combination of all three.
Rachel added: “The website is now open, we are inviting Deaf people to take part and are analysing the initial feedback. The level of interest has been excellent so far and we will use the results to develop the clearest ways of presenting complex information about medicine and genetics in BSL.”
