THE ROLE OF SIGNED LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS IN THE COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTIONS OF COACHES WITH DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING ATHLETES

In the present study, based on a doctorate thesis, data obtained from practitioners was evaluated to determine the role of CODA sign-language interpreters in Deaf sports. The study includes a multifaceted analysis of the role played by sign language interpreters in the com-munication of hearing national team coaches working with athletes who are deaf in the Turk-ish Deaf Sports Federation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TIESF);. For this purpose, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with seven experienced CODA interpreters involved in the national and inter-national activities of the TIESF. To date there have been few studies in the field of sports in-terpreting in Turkey, and particularly interpreting for athletes who are deaf. The present research is a pioneering and exemplary study that focuses on the role of signed language interpreters as sports interpreters.