After numerous ifs and buts the University of Oslo has decided not to stop the enrolment to the study of sign language and interpretation this fall.

2010-02-24 På norsk

Two weeks ago Universitas wrote that the study of sign language and interpretation by the Department for Special Needs Education at the University of Oslo (UiO) was to be closed down due to lack of money. The word was that if no new grants from the Ministry of Education and Research were provided by August, there would be no possibility of preventing a stop of enrolment. Now the university has changed their mind.

Found money after all

– It was decided that the economical situation wasn´t as precarious as first expected, says department leader by the Department for Special Needs Education (ISP) Arnfinn Vonen.
Secretary-general in Norges Døveforbund, the Norwegian organization for deaf people, Paal Richard Peterson, is content.
– This is very gratifying. The university couldn´t possibly be acquianted with closing down a study of such public utility, he wonders.
Deaf and hearing impared students are completely dependent on interpreters if they want to participate in studies like other students.
– A deaf student doesn´t need an interpreter to improve their period of study; it is a question of whether they can study or not. No interpreters, no deaf students, says Peterson.

Still in danger of dismantling

– We are on the way of gaining total equal status for sign language. But there is still a danger of dismantling the study, says student of sign language and interpretation, Rannveig Øygardslia.
What with the 15 places of study at the interpreter education at the University of Oslo, there is a great need for more interpreters. The study is as of today one of three of its kind in Norway. The study is saved for the fall enrolment this year, but if the financing is not ready by August 1st 2010, next fall´s bachelor´s degree and yearly study will be dismantled.
– It is very important to educate interpreters in Norway, but if better financing can´t be fixed during this spring, the study will have to be dismantled, says Vonen.
– A solid technical environment is caused by that Norway´s largest institution of education also has an interpreter´s education. It is obvious that the University of Oslo needs to offer this education, says Peterson.
Peterson says that it is profitable for the state to go for an interpretation education. This because it is cheaper for the state to educate enough interpreters than for many deaf people to go unemployed.

Kirsty Johansen DOT Translated by Ingrid F. Brubaker