Jemina Napier | Heriot-Watt University (original) (raw)

Papers by Jemina Napier

This paper investigates perceptions of teachers and students on the qualities of effective transl... more This paper investigates perceptions of teachers and students on the qualities of effective translation teachers in universities using survey research. These qualities include the teachers' personal traits, the roles they play in and out of the classroom, the pedagogies used in classroom teaching and the feedback given to students. Surveys were designed using Survey Monkey and participants were invited to complete and submit the surveys online. 94 students and 22 teachers from several Australian and New Zealand universities participated in the research. The results show that translation teacher effectiveness includes but not limited to the following factors: effectiveness of classroom teaching, a level of understanding of translation theory and skills, a way of demonstrating these skills, pedagogies to motivate students for their independent learning, a personality which influences students on their learning process and road to professionalism, and ongoing help for students.

The concept of digital education (DE) has many defi nitions and essentially includes the use of e... more The concept of digital education (DE) has many defi nitions and essentially includes the use of electronic media and information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. Digital education is also alternatively referred to as e-learning, multimedia learning, technology-enhanced learning (TEL), computer-based instruction (CBI), computer-managed instruction, computer-based training (CBT), computer-assisted (or -aided) instruction (CAI), Internetbased training (IBT), Web-based training (WBT), online education, virtual education, and virtual learning environments (VLE) (Wikipedia, 2014). These alternative names emphasize a particular aspect, component, or delivery method that uses some form of technology in educational settings. Moreover, DE includes numerous types of media that deliver text, audio, images, animation, and streaming video and includes technology applications and processes such as audio or video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM, and computer-based learning, as well as ...

Macquarie University ResearchOnline.

Since the ground breaking research of applied and sociolinguists who identified that interpreters... more Since the ground breaking research of applied and sociolinguists who identified that interpreters are active participants in medical consultations (see Angelelli, 2004; Davidson, 2001; Metzger, 1999), we have come to understand more about the linguistic challenges of interpreter-mediated medical consultations. Healthcare interpreting is a high consequence setting in which accuracy is an interpreter’s most important objective (author2, McKee, & Goswell, 2010). At the same time, there are often other challenges to deal with – anxious patients, sensitive topics, busy doctors, and difficult healthcare terminology to name just a few. Being aware of how and why participants are using language in context can help interpreters to better predict the direction of interaction, likely topics, terminology, and potential communication challenges. This paper will explore an innovative technique for preparing interpreters for working at the interface of doctor-patient consultations, by exposing ...

Macquarie University ResearchOnline.

The aim of the project reported here was to investigate whether the use of current technology wit... more The aim of the project reported here was to investigate whether the use of current technology within the New South Wales (Australia) Department of Justice is appropriate for providing video remote signed language interpreting services in court given that video conference facilities make use of fixedangle cameras that cannot be moved, zoomed in or out, or focus on different parts of the courtroom. The study sought answers to questions concerning consumer comfort levels, integrity of interpreting process, and optimum settings for interpreters to provide quality services remotely. Conclusions from the study include the need to carefully consider the technological, linguistic, environmental, and logistical issues before establishing video remote interpreting services. “It Was Difficult to Manage the Communication”: Testing the Feasibility of Video Remote Signed Language Interpreting in Court The majority of research on court interpreting to date has focused on face-to-face interactions ...

BACKGROUND This study sought to gain insight into how Deaf Australians who use Auslan as their pr... more BACKGROUND This study sought to gain insight into how Deaf Australians who use Auslan as their primary language perceive their English literacy and if they feel that they can sufficiently access preventative and ongoing health care information, and to explore their views in regards to accessing information in Auslan. METHODS A phenomenological, inductive study, with data collected through 72 semi-structured interviews with Deaf Auslan users identified through non-probabilistic, purposeful and network sampling. Data was thematically analysed for identification of issues related to healthcare information access through English. RESULTS Deaf people experience barriers in accessing healthcare information because of limited English literacy and a lack of information being available in Auslan, apart from when Auslan interpreters are present in health care appointments. CONCLUSION Many Deaf people in Australia lack consistent access to preventative and ongoing health care information. It i...

For many deaf signers, a signed language is their first or preferred language; spoken or written ... more For many deaf signers, a signed language is their first or preferred language; spoken or written languages are often second languages and literacy levels among deaf signers vary. Historically, surveys carried out with deaf signers have been in written form, which means that findings of such studies may be problematic in terms of whether participants are a representative sample (as only those with higher levels of literacy may respond) and in terms of the integrity of the responses (if respondents did not fully understand questions). This paper therefore discusses issues faced in conducting survey research with deaf signers, given that they may face challenges in accessing questionnaires in written form. The paper also discusses how to conduct a multi-country study with deaf signers when they do not have a common sign language by designing a questionnaire using International Sign. We present a case study of the Insign project, which employed an online survey methodology that allowed 84 deaf respondents from 22 different countries to view questions in International Sign about their experiences with existing communication technologies and their expectations of service provision to access European Institutions. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach in relation to the use of International Sign, challenges in recruiting enough respondents, the time needed to create a signed questionnaire instrument, and how to enable deaf participants to respond in sign language. We conclude with recommendations for social science researchers to consider when administering surveys with deaf signing communities.

Macquarie University ResearchOnline.