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For more than three years, Polynésie la 1ère has offered the deaf and hard of hearing to follow the flash news in sign language in replay. For the elections, this system is reinforced with live translations of certain editions. This will be the case for the debate scheduled for our antenna on April 26.
Polynesia the 1st (MEL: IB)
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Published on April 19, 2023 at 2:39 p.m.,
updated on April 19, 2023 at 2:41 p.m.
Yves Somaini, sign language translator with whom Polynésie la 1ère has been working for several years for the transcription of newspapers in sign language, signed the live newspaper for the first time on Monday April 17 at 12:00.
The replay
Why this move?
It is a public service mission. The electoral appointment is extremely important this year. Our wish was to offer as many people as possible the possibility of following our interviews with the representatives of the various lists in the best possible conditions and thus make it possible to understand the proposals of the candidates, indicates Jean-Philippe Lemée, regional director.
How often will this live sign language translation take place?
Even if our goal is to offer a daily newspaper in LDS, we plan to repeat this operation only on major events. Indeed, the people who can do this translation are not available to do it on a regular basis. But we are working on it, continues Jean-Philippe Lemée.
What impact in the deaf and hard of hearing community?
According to Vaea Billy, president of the Apa e reo nui association, the deaf and hard of hearing community in Polynesia is estimated at 3,000 people.
For 3 years that Polynésie la 1ère has allowed them to follow the news flash in replay, the deaf have been touched by what has been put in place for them, it is a mark of exceptional consideration. For the anecdote: this even questioned the voting intentions of some of these citizens who finally had clear access to the speeches of the candidates, declared the interpreter Yves Somaini.
Motivated by the feedback from the Association of the Deaf and Dumb of Polynesia, the management of Polynésie la 1ère wanted to sign (that is to say translate live into sign language) the debate of April 26 in French.
Yves Somani, sign language interpreter
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©Polynesia the 1st
Who is Yves Somani?
He has practiced sign language since childhood because his best friend is hard of hearing. Later, he professionalized and made it his job. He is a non-qualified interpreter who first specializes in the school environment then works on interpreter platforms in France and passes validation levels. He has been in Polynesia for 6 years, it is a full-time job.