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Exploring Creative Sign Language

• October 2026
• News

Exploring Creative Sign Language

Zebra Uno Co-Director Nikki Stratton recently attended an Interpreting Pathways event: A Day with Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence, featuring her course in Creative Sign Language, Translation and Interpreting: Making the Most of the “Visual”.

Some facts about Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence!

Rachel is a leading linguist and researcher in sign languages. She has a particular focus on BSL literature and poetry.

She co-authored the widely recognised BSL Linguistics book. Rachel also spent many years at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Deaf Studies.

Her research has focused extensively on signed language literature and poetry.

Since 2013, Rachel has lived and worked in Brazil. She is an Associate Professor in Sign Language Studies at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.

Nikki’s reflections

“What an inspirational day of learning and reflection! It was a real privilege to return to a seminar led by my former lecturer from my time at the University of Bristol, where I studied Deaf Studies and Linguistics, and to explore the fascinating world of creative literature in sign language on screen.

I was truly blown away by the work and insights of the legendary Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence, particularly her latest work in Brazil. The thought-provoking creativity of sign language through poetic forms was genuinely incredible and offered so much food for thought.

It also sparked an important reflection on the future of Deaf creative expression in the UK and the opportunities to take sign language representation on screen to new heights.

A project I’m currently working on will certainly benefit from today’s session, inspiring further exploration into the creative possibilities of sign language and its representation on screen.

Thank you, Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence, for such an inspiring and thought-provoking day, and with thank you to Interpreting Pathways for organising the event. I’m leaving with plenty to reflect on, explore and create!”

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