Burnout among Sign Language Interpreters in Africa

This study focused on burnout among sign language interpreters in Africa. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Professional interpreters were purposively selected on the WhatsApp forum of the African Federation of Sign Language Interpreters. Eighty-seven members of the forum volunteered to participate in the study. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study. The data were collected through a Google form designed questionnaire tagged ?Sign Language Interpreters and Burnout'. Data generated were analysed through frequency count, simple percentage, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple regression. The findings revealed a negative significant correlation between workload of interpreters (r = -0.296); a positive significant relationship between job control (r = 0.229) and burnout among interpreters in Africa. There was also a joint relationship between workload, job control, gender, working hours and burnout (F(4,86) = 2.601, p < 0.05). Furthermore, workload (? = -0.240, t = 2.069, p < 0.05) significantly contributed to burnout of African sign language interpreters. This study concluded that interpreters' workload and job control are the greatest determinant of burnout among sign language interpreters in Africa. Based on these findings, sign language interpreters in Africa should endeavour to avoid excessive work schedules and engage in team interpreting to reduce the occurrence of burnout.