EPISODE · Mar 6, 2025 · 57 MIN
Alice Bennet Alder: Auslan Interpreting, Deaf Community & Communication Insights
from Radio FM88 Australia · host Jeffrey Shaw, Elisa Hererra, Priti Pauline, and Zoe
Join hosts Andrena Forrest and Jeffrey Shaw for an eye-opening conversation with Alice Bennet Alder — veteran Auslan interpreter with over 30 years of experience, sharing the vital world of Australian Sign Language and its impact on the Deaf community.Alice reveals Auslan as a unique language (distinct from ASL or BSL), her journey from learning ASL in Canada to immersing in Australia's Deaf culture in 1988, and the real-life challenges interpreters face: medical emergencies, long waits, confidentiality, and adapting to video remote interpreting during COVID. Discover barriers in healthcare/education (low literacy rates, lip-reading limits), cochlear implants/hearing aids pros/cons, higher mental health risks for Deaf children, and the power of facial expressions/body language in signing.Filled with humorous anecdotes (surgery mix-ups, heartfelt hugs), advocacy for more interpreters, and calls for better access (on-screen signing in emergencies), this episode highlights inclusion, resilience, and breaking communication walls.Essential for anyone interested in Deaf awareness, sign language, inclusive practices, or inspiring stories of connection and understanding.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Welcoming Alice Bennet Alder03:00 - Alice's Journey: Learning ASL in Canada & Immersing in Auslan/Deaf Culture10:00 - Auslan Uniqueness: Different from ASL/BSL & Facial Expressions Role18:00 - Interpreter Challenges: Medical Emergencies, Confidentiality & Long Waits28:00 - Video Remote Interpreting Rise During COVID & Adaptations38:00 - Barriers in Healthcare/Education: Lip-Reading Limits & Literacy Issues48:00 - Cochlear Implants/Hearing Aids: Pros, Cons & Mental Health Impacts58:00 - Humorous Anecdotes: Surgery Mix-Ups & Heartfelt Connections1:08:00 - Advocacy: More Interpreters, On-Screen Signing & Inclusion CallsEnd - Closing Gratitude & Deaf Community Insights ☕ Support Our Work:If you enjoy our programs and want to help us keep going, please consider donating the cost of a coffee here:https://radiofm88.com.au/donate-now/ — We use the Wise Payment System.📌 Follow Us & Connect:Radio FM88 Australia → https://youtube.com/@radiofm88australiaAndrena Forrest → https://youtube.com/@AndrenaForrestJeffrey Shaw → https://youtube.com/@jeffreyshaw88🌐 More Info:Host Jeffrey Shaw → https://jeffreyshaw.com.auHost Andrena Forrest → https://andrenaforrest.com📻 Listen to Radio FM88 Australia anywhere:https://radiofm88.com.au#AliceBennetAlder #Auslan #AustralianSignLanguage #DeafCommunity #SignLanguageInterpreter #DeafAwareness #InclusiveCommunication #CochlearImplants #MentalHealthDeaf #VideoRemoteInterpreting #InterpreterStories #DeafCulture #CommunicationBarriers #DreamingTheNewDream #RadioFM88Australia #AndrenaForrest #JeffreyShaw
What this episode covers
Join hosts Andrena Forrest and Jeffrey Shaw for an eye-opening conversation with Alice Bennet Alder — veteran Auslan interpreter with over 30 years of experience, sharing the vital world of Australian Sign Language and its impact on the Deaf community.Alice reveals Auslan as a unique language (distinct from ASL or BSL), her journey from learning ASL in Canada to immersing in Australia's Deaf culture in 1988, and the real-life challenges interpreters face: medical emergencies, long waits, confidentiality, and adapting to video remote interpreting during COVID. Discover barriers in healthcare/education (low literacy rates, lip-reading limits), cochlear implants/hearing aids pros/cons, higher mental health risks for Deaf children, and the power of facial expressions/body language in signing.Filled with humorous anecdotes (surgery mix-ups, heartfelt hugs), advocacy for more interpreters, and calls for better access (on-screen signing in emergencies), this episode highlights inclusion, resilience, and breaking communication walls.Essential for anyone interested in Deaf awareness, sign language, inclusive practices, or inspiring stories of connection and understanding.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Welcoming Alice Bennet Alder03:00 - Alice's Journey: Learning ASL in Canada & Immersing in Auslan/Deaf Culture10:00 - Auslan Uniqueness: Different from ASL/BSL & Facial Expressions Role18:00 - Interpreter Challenges: Medical Emergencies, Confidentiality & Long Waits28:00 - Video Remote Interpreting Rise During COVID & Adaptations38:00 - Barriers in Healthcare/Education: Lip-Reading Limits & Literacy Issues48:00 - Cochlear Implants/Hearing Aids: Pros, Cons & Mental Health Impacts58:00 - Humorous Anecdotes: Surgery Mix-Ups & Heartfelt Connections1:08:00 - Advocacy: More Interpreters, On-Screen Signing & Inclusion CallsEnd - Closing Gratitude & Deaf Community Insights ☕ Support Our Work:If you enjoy our programs and want to help us keep going, please consider donating the cost of a coffee here:https://radiofm88.com.au/donate-now/ — We use the Wise Payment System.📌 Follow Us & Connect:Radio FM88 Australia → https://youtube.com/@radiofm88australiaAndrena Forrest → https://youtube.com/@AndrenaForrestJeffrey Shaw → https://youtube.com/@jeffreyshaw88🌐 More Info:Host Jeffrey Shaw → https://jeffreyshaw.com.auHost Andrena Forrest → https://andrenaforrest.com📻 Listen to Radio FM88 Australia anywhere:https://radiofm88.com.au#AliceBennetAlder #Auslan #AustralianSignLanguage #DeafCommunity #SignLanguageInterpreter #DeafAwareness #InclusiveCommunication #CochlearImplants #MentalHealthDeaf #VideoRemoteInterpreting #InterpreterStories #DeafCulture #CommunicationBarriers #DreamingTheNewDream #RadioFM88Australia #AndrenaForrest #JeffreyShaw
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Alice Bennet Alder: Auslan Interpreting, Deaf Community & Communication Insights
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