Fiji launches Sign Language Interpreters Association to bridge communication gaps
The deaf and hearing-impaired community in Fiji has long faced barriers as sign language understanding remains limited in many settings. At the launch of the Sign Language Interpreters Association of Fiji (SLIAF) at the Tanoa Hotel in Suva yesterday, advocates highlighted the ongoing challenges and the importance of formalizing the profession.
SLIAF board chair Claudette Wilson said the launch hasn’t been easy, noting that the group has worked toward this goal for roughly 20 years. “For decades, Fijian interpreters have been the silent bridges between worlds,” she underscored, describing interpreters who have translated far beyond words to dismantle barriers across education, justice, media and community life. The interpreters’ role, she explained, has always been about enabling access for all.
Wilson also recalled how interpreters previously worked on a voluntary basis, driven by passion rather than formal training. In the early days, the deaf community itself became the teachers, with interpreters learning through daily immersion—attending camps, Bible studies, church services and sports programs. Over time, opportunities expanded as interpreters began to attend international conferences, workshops and meetings, which helped birth a range of groups dedicated to this vital work.
The launch of SLIAF situates Fiji within a broader movement toward inclusive communication and disability rights. It mirrors a growing emphasis on accessibility and support for people with disabilities seen in other local developments, such as initiatives to promote sign language in education and calls for improved accessibility in public spaces. These efforts collectively signal a hopeful push toward a more inclusive society where deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can participate more fully in education, justice and public life.
Commenting on the broader context, experts note that formal training, certification and professional standards for interpreters can strengthen the quality and consistency of sign-language access across sectors. The SLIAF’s establishment is a promising step toward those goals, with potential to foster greater collaboration with educators, legal professionals, media outlets and healthcare providers.
Summary and outlook: The creation of the Sign Language Interpreters Association of Fiji marks the culmination of two decades of advocacy and hard work by Fiji’s sign-language community. By professionalizing interpretation services and expanding access across critical areas, SLIAF aims to reduce communication gaps and empower deaf residents to participate more fully in society. The move aligns with ongoing inclusion efforts in education and infrastructure, offering hope for ongoing improvements in sign-language training, public accessibility and community empowerment.
Additional value and logical note: If supported by policymakers and development partners, SLIAF could catalyze formal interpreter training programs, certification pathways and funded collaborations with schools, courts, media and government agencies. Such investments would help ensure consistent, high-quality access and could inspire similar initiatives in neighboring regions seeking to advance disability inclusion and multilingual communication. This progress offers a positive, forward-looking trajectory for Fiji’s Sign Language community.
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