TZ takes bold step to professionalise sign language interpretation

DODOMA: IN a landmark move to elevate the standards of sign language interpretation, the Government of Tanzania has unveiled a strategic plan to provide professional training for interpreters.

The move is paving the way for greater inclusivity and accessibility in communication across the nation and beyond.

Speaking in Parliament recently in Dodoma, Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, laid out the government’s forward-looking vision in response to a question from CCM Special Seats MP Stella Ikupa, who pressed for action on making sign language an official means of communication in Tanzania.

“The Government has already embarked on building a comprehensive database of sign language interpreters, with over 300 individuals already registered,” Mwinjuma stated.

With the groundwork laid, the next phase is all about skill development. The deputy minister revealed that targeted training programmes will soon be rolled out to assess and uplift interpreters to professional and international standards.

“The Government’s intention is clear,we are preparing interpreters who are not only capable of serving within Tanzania but can also meet international standards,” Mwinjuma emphasised.

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As part of this strategy, interpreters who meet the criteria will also be offered opportunities to learn international sign systems, enabling them to serve across borders and on global platforms—a first for Tanzania’s communication sector. In a significant structural development, Mwinjuma announced the creation of a dedicated civil service framework for sign language interpreters.

This formal recognition marks a transformative shift, positioning interpretation not just as a support role, but as a respected and professional career path within the public sector.

This initiative comes at a time when the role of sign language is expanding rapidly, particularly in sports, media and public service delivery, where clear and accessible communication is crucial.

The programme promises to improve the quality and reach of interpretation services across Tanzania, ensuring that citizens with hearing impairments are not left behind in national conversations and cultural experiences.

“This is not just about interpreters—it’s about inclusion, empowerment and ensuring that every Tanzanian voice, signed or spoken, is heard,” Mwinjuma added. As the nation moves toward embracing diversity and inclusion in communication, the spotlight now shifts to the implementation of these ambitious plans and the transformative impact they are expected to have on both the interpreters and the communities they serve.