Current location:politics >>
Sign Language Interpreter Provides Words of Hope
politics874People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Sign Language Interpreter Provides Words of Hope
ByCheng Si November 1, 2023Liu Ying uses sign language to interpret at a conference. [Photo/China Daily] |
Liu Ying never thought that a short course in sign language would pique her interest in "silent speech" and introduce her to art-related programs that benefit people with disabilities.
Having started work as a journalist in Anji, a county in the eastern province of Zhejiang, in 2007, Liu was transferred to an office job at the county's disabled people's federation in 2010.
"I was sent to a sign language training program in Hangzhou, Zhejiang's capital, because the job required me to communicate with disabled people," the 38-year-old said.
"I remained very interested in sign language after finishing the training, so I partnered with a colleague, who is hearing-impaired, to continue my studies."
Her love of sign language strengthened after taking a two-month post as a teaching assistant at a school for deaf-mutes in Huzhou, also in Zhejiang, in 2012.
That winter, she was invited to join a county-level television news program in Anji as a sign language interpreter.
"I was under great pressure from the very beginning as the sign language used in regular speech is different from that used in newscasts. The program was prerecorded at the time, and it usually took one or two hours for me to complete the 15-minute version," she recalled.
Moreover, the sign language vocabulary is not as rich as general speech, and translators are required to interpret the news simply and easily so hearing-impaired people can understand.
"I record the program once a week and I continued to learn sign language with a teacher in Hangzhou every Friday for two months. I've also learned new vocabulary from my hearing-impaired friends, such as the COVID-19 epidemic and some environmental terms," Liu said.
In addition to that program, Liu is engaged in two other news programs in Zhejiang's Deqing County, and provides sign language interpretations in Hangzhou.
She always makes great efforts to help improve disabled people's lives.
"In 2011, my colleagues and I had the idea of forming a dance group of hearing-impaired people. We enlisted about 20 people age 18 to 28, and arranged the dances ourselves. The group won gold medals in dance choreography and performance in a provincial competition in 2013," she said. "Then, we organized an art troupe in May, 2014. Now, there are about 60 troupe members."
Liu and the troupe had their finest hour when they were invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou on Oct 22.
"We received the formal invitation in early August. The directing team asked us to merge our shows — a dance show and an instrumental performance with bamboo-based percussion — into one, and stage it at the opening ceremony," she said.
"It was a challenging adjustment for the troupe to make in such a short time. Most of our members are amateurs who work as food deliverymen, farmers, shopkeepers or construction workers, so they lack experience of performing in such a world-class show," Liu said.
"Also, the instrumentalists are more introverted and afraid of showing their disabilities compared with the dancers. I was pleased to see the dancers teaching them how to smile while playing and passing on their positive energy through smiles. The show was a real success for us!"
Having been involved in beneficial work for disabled people for 10 years, Liu said she has gained an unruffled mentality through her disabled friends.
"I thought I was the one leading them to move on as I have sound limbs and good health, but I realize now that they encourage me to have an upbeat attitude," she said.
She added that in 2017 the troupe started performing in Anji and other counties and cities in Zhejiang to make their art more accessible, especially to disabled people, and to pass on their joy and optimism to the audience.
"Last year, we started introducing our show to schools to help relieve the pressure on teenagers. We want to let more people know about the art we've created and the spirit we insist on. I was touched by words of one performer who said her peers and local villagers used to look down on her because of her disability. Now, though, she is a 'model' and 'elite person' in her village, and makes a good living," Liu said.
"I hope my efforts can win more confident and dignified lives for disabled people. The disabled people I know don't beg for sympathy or enjoy the fruits of other people's labor. They are ready to show themselves and win respect through their own abilities. I love working with them, acting as a bridge between the disabled and the government to better their development."
(Source: China Daily)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Compass news portal”。http://mauritius.downmusic.org/html-42e599874.html
Related articles
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
politicsINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th ru ...
【politics】
Read moreFinal touches put on Asian Games prep
politicsPeople donate blood in an Asian Games-themed blood donation vehicle in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, ...
【politics】
Read moreCargo ships in Zaozhuang navigated along the Beijing
politicsBeijing, October27 (Youth.cn) -On October 27th, 2023, in Zaozhuang, ShandongProvince, along the Weis ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
- France should bring rational voice to EU trade policy on China
- GT Voice: US Treasury yield signals economy in ‘vicious cycle’
- Ignoring reality
- Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
- Residents of Beijing
Latest articles
I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
Xi, Lula Send Congratulatory Letters to Seminar Involving CPC, Workers' Party of Brazil
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Will Rayner now tell the whole truth?
China Focus: Record Qingming holiday box office heats up for May Day moviegoing frenzy
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
What Yellen discusses in China will be a weather vane
LINKS
- The culinary game at MLB ballparks has exploded in the past 20 years. Eating healthy is a challenge
- Vice President Harris announces final rules mandating minimum standards for nursing home staffing
- The Guess Who and B.T.O. rocker Randy Bachman has prized instruments up for auction
- Cruz Beckham's VERY sweet tribute to mum Victoria at her star
- In Myanmar, paying bribes to evade the draft — Radio Free Asia
- Fans fear for one Irwin 'family member' as she vanishes from their socials: 'What has happened?'
- Nicola Peltz breaks her social media silence after missing out on mother
- David Beckham's best pal Dave Gardner reveals guests at Victoria's star
- Nearly 80 die in 3 weeks at Myanmar refugee camps: aid workers — Radio Free Asia
- Arkansas teen held on murder charge after fatal shooting outside party after high school prom