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Gabriella ARDITA

PhD Student
PhD in Sciences of Interpretation - XXXIX cycle
Contacts

Email: gabriella.ardita@phd.unict.it
Web Site: www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-ardita/

VERSIONE ITALIANAAREA RISERVATA

Click here to watch a brief presentation in International Sign

Gabriella Ardita is a PhD candidate in Science of Interpretation (XXXIX cycle) since 1st June 2024 (supervisor: professor Sabina Fontana) and she works within MuGS (Multimodality, Gestures, and Signs) research group. From January to July 2026, she conducted her research as Visiting PhD Scholar at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, within the SIGNS@HWU research group, Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies in Scotland (CTISS), Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (host supervisor: prof. Jemina Napier).

After obtaining a Scientific Diploma (100/100 with honours) from Boggio Lera High School in Catania, she pursued a BA degree in Linguistic and Intercultural Mediation (L-12) at the University of Catania (Ragusa). Her studies provided her with a linguistic-cultural foundation in English, Spanish, Standard Arabic, and LIS. During her academic career, she won an Erasmus+ scholarship, spending six months studying at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Córdoba. In 2018, she graduated with honours (110/110 with honours) with a thesis titled Sign Poetry: Culture, Language, and Cognition. Again, she spent six months in Spain, teaching Italian as L2 at Dante Alighieri Society in Malaga (Erasmus Traineeship) and formally approaching the study of Spanish Sign Language at A1 level.

In 2021, she earned a MA degree in Language Sciences (LM-39) with a specialization in Deafness and Language Impairments from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (110/110 with honours). She discussed a thesis, titled The use of mouthing in occurrence with focus in Italian Sign Language (LIS). An experimental proof of the discursive-pragmatic function of mouthings in comparison with co-verbal gestures. Then she completed a first-level Master’s program at the University of Catania in Theories and Techniques of Italian/LIS and LIS/Italian Translation and Interpretation, obtaining the professional qualification as LIS translator and interpreter (110/110 with honours).

In 2024, she co-founded the Social Cooperative PASSI in Segni. She has worked for three years as LIS Interpreter at both primary and secondary schools with signing Deaf students. Moreover, as LIS interpreter she participated in the pilot project Sign Language - Learning to Communicate, funded by Sicily government and managed by the Deaf National Association (regional Council of Sicily). Her professional experience also includes community/dialogic and conference settings, both online and onsite, as well as translation and subtitling services in contexts of museum accessibility. Since 2026 she is senior interpreter registered in T'AMILIS (national association of interpreters, translators, and mediators of LIS, LISt and other sign languages).

In parallel with her professional activity, in the academic context she served as Teaching Assistant and Tutor for LIS I, II, and III courses (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) and for General Linguistics and LIS Linguistics courses (University of Catania) interruptedly from 2021 to 2024. Recently, she has held some academic seminars aimed at raising awareness about deafness/deafhood and LIS addressed to Master's degree students at UNICT. She has also worked as a trainer in a course for Autonomy and Communication Assistants, teaching theoretical foundations of LIS, deafness and Deafhood.

Since 2023, she has been a member of the Italian Linguistic Society (SLI), affiliated with the GISCEL, GSCP, and GSPL groups, and since 2024 she is part of the EUNICE Student Board at the University of Catania.

Doctoral research project

Within a sociosemiotic and cognitive theoretical framework, this doctoral research explores deaf users' perceptions of Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpreting and translation services. Adopting an interdisciplinary lens that encompasses linguistics, interpreting and translation studies, anthropology, and sociology, the project employs an ethnographic approach and inductive qualitative methods to document the deaf community’s perspectives on the role of interpreters, linguistic features in LIS translation, and Video Remote Interpreting.

Research interests

  • Sociolinguistics and pragmatics of signed languages and LIS

  • Folk linguistics

  • Intermodal contact phenomena, mouthing in signed languages and LIS

  • Language ideologies and attitudes in the LIS–Italian bilingual context.

  • LIS<>Italian translation and interpreting; interpreter training.

  • Deaf Studies, including narratives and emic perspectives of the deaf community.

  • Teaching and learning LIS as L2/M2, LIS learners' notation strategies.

  • Multimodality and Gesture Studies.

Presentations at Conferences

  • Poster (12-13 September 2026): Ardita, G. «Bringing research on deaf users’ perspectives into interpreter education. The impact on students’ perceptions of competence». efsli 2026 Conference From Experience to Credentials, Sheraton Zagreb Hotel, Zagreb. 
  • Oral presentation (7 July 2026): Ardita, G. «From deaf users' perspectives to rethinking interpreting and language». IV Doctoral Conference, Doctoral research program in Science of Interpretation, Segni & Asimmetrie. L'interpretazione tra testi, media e confini [Signs & Asymmetries: Interpretation Across Texts, Media, and Boundaries]. Department of Humanities, University of Catania, Catania. Book of Abstracts
  • Poster (13 June 2026): Ardita, G. «Learning through interaction with deaf users. A guided tour interpreting internship». The Together Conference for Sign Language Interpreters & Translators 2026 Pick It Up, Pass It On, organised by BSL Interpretations, BSL 365 Interpreter, online.
  • Oral presentation (3 February 2026): Ardita, G. «Research Design & Decision Making in Exploring Deaf Perspectives on LIS Interpreting». Symposium Exploring Research Design & Decision Making, SIGNS@HWU, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
  • Oral presentation (13 September 2025): Ardita, G. «How LIS Deaf Users Perceive VRI: Implications for Interpreters’ Practice and Training». efsli 2025 Conference Translating Culture, VIP Executive Entrecampos Hotel & Conference, Lisbon.
  • Oral presentation (16 July 2025): Ardita, G. «Italian>LIS Translation between variety and canon. Deaf Community Perspectives and training». III Doctoral Conference, Doctoral research program in Science of Interpretation, Department of Humanities, University of Catania, Catania.
  • Poster (28 June 2025): Ardita, G. «Interpreter Attitude through Italian Deaf Eyes on Social Media». The Together Conference for Sign Language Interpreters & Translators 2025, organized by BSL Interpretations, BSL 365 Interpreter, Sign Senei, online.
  • Oral presentation (20 June 2025): Ardita, G.; Caligiore, G. «From Signed Communication to Written Representation: Decoding Strategies of LIS Notations among Hearing Students and Deaf Teachers». International Conference Spoken Communication Foggia 2025, Spoken Communication Study Group (Italian Linguistics Society), University of Foggia, Foggia. Book of Abstracts
  • Oral presentation (30 May 2025): Fontana, S.; Ardita, G. «Mouthing as Intermodal Contact in Italian-LIS Translation: A Qualitative Study on Deaf Signers’ Perceptions». International Conference on New Issues in Language Contact Studies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila. Book of Abstracts
  • Poster (29 May 2025): Limongelli, M. A.; Raniolo, E.; Ardita, G. «Languages in Contact in Translation: between Italian and LIS in Academic Settings». International Conference on New Issues in Language Contact Studies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila. Book of Abstracts
  • Oral presentation (23 January 2025): Ardita, G. «Deaf Signers’ Narratives on Video Remote Interpreting in Italy: Opportunities and Challenges for Enhancing Online Accessibility». International Conference on Digital Perspectives & Global Narratives in New Media Communication, online. The Applied Language and Culture Studies Research Lab (ALCS), FLHS, Chouaib Doukkali University & The Centre for Organizational and Social Studies (CEOS.PP) ISCAP, Polytechnic of Porto. Book of Abstracts
  • Oral presentation (12 December 2024): Ardita, G.; Limongelli, M. A. «Deaf Co-Construction Approach in AVT: A Case Study from University to Professional Practice». 7th Symposium on New Technologies in Audiovisual Translation and Accessible Tourism: Transforming Training for the Future, University of Palermo, Palermo.
  • Oral presentation (5 November 2024): Ardita, G. «Evolving Perspectives. Deaf Insights into VRI». 8th International PhD Conference Reimagining Crises. Turning Points in Language Studies and Literary Narratives, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice. Book of Abstracts
  • Poster (9 June 2023): Raniolo, E.; Ardita, G.; Caligiore, G. «Sign Language notation strategies. Spontaneous processes within and at the borders of the Signing Community». Spoken Communication 2023. 20 years of Study Group for Spoken Communication. Italian Linguistics Society and Spoken Communication Study Group, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome.
  • Poster (12 May 2023): Ardita, G.; Calleri, G. «Analysis of a Conversation in LIS. Use of Feedback and the Expression NOT_EXIST». V LIS National Conference, Italian National Deaf Association, Calabria University, Arcavacata (Cosenza, Italy).
  • Oral presentation (23 September 2022): Ardita, G.; Caligiore G. «LIS notation at University. Learners’ strategies, teaching challenges, and Methodological implications». Teaching LIS and LISt at University: Experiences, Materials, Teaching and Evaluation Tools, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice.

Seminars

  • Seminar: (20 May 2026): Ardita, G. Deaf Users’ Perception of Mouthing in Translation. Methodological Issues & Preliminary Observations. Presentation within the SIGNS@HWU research group, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
  • Seminar (17 December 2025): Ardita, G.; Calleri G.; Limongelli, M.A.; Russino, A. Meeting with the interpreters of PASSI in Segni. How can we build truly inclusive teaching for deaf students? Comparing experiences and reflections. Seminar by invitation within the Advanced LIS Course - Linguistics for Inclusion (Professor: Gaia Caligiore) of the Master's degree in Science of Language for intercultural and education, University of Catania, Ragusa Didactic Unit. 
  • Seminar (7 June 2025): Ardita, G. Deaf Community's Perspectives and Video Remote Interpreting, 4 hours within the Master’s program in Theories and Techniques of Italian-Italian Sign Language (LIS)/Tactile LIS (LISt) and LIS/LISt-Italian Mediation, Translation and Interpretation (a.y. 2024/2025, University of Catania, Ragusa Didactic Unit), online.
  • Seminars (12, 16, 23 May 2025): Ardita, G. Foundations of Italian Sign Language (LIS), 8 hours of Professionalization Seminars (Other Educational Activities) aimed at students attending the Master's degree in Comparative Languages and Literatures, proposed by Professor M. D'Amore, scientific responsible Professor S. Fontana, University of Catania.
  • Seminar (5 December 2024): Ardita, G.; Calleri G.; Limongelli, M.A.; Russino, A.; Santoro, L. Meeting with the interpreters of PASSI in Segni, Seminar by invitation within the Advanced LIS Course - Linguistics for Inclusion (Professor: Gaia Caligiore) of the Master's degree in Science of Language for intercultural and education, University of Catania, Ragusa Didactic Unit. 
  • Seminar (5 May 2023): Ardita, G.; Caligiore, G. «LIS notation at University. Learners’ strategies and teaching challenges». Seminar mainly aimed at students attending the LIS 1, LIS 2, and LIS 3 courses of the Bachelor's Degree in Linguistic and Intercultural Mediation, University of Catania, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Ragusa Ibla.

Other Presentations

  • Pitch (29 April 2026): Folk linguistics. Team day SIGNS@HWU (Heriot-Watt University), Deaf Action, Edinburgh.
  • Pitch (11-12 July 2024): Presentation of the Start Up “PASSI in Segni” representing University of Catania for the Start Up competition II EUNICE Imagine Innovation Cup held at University of Cantabria (Santander, Spain).

Participation in Conferences

  • 13-14 June 2026: The Together Conference for Sign Language Interpreters & Translators 2026 Pick It Up, Pass It On, organised by BSL Interpretations, BSL 365 Interpreter, online.
  • 3 February 2026: Symposium Exploring Research Design & Decision Making, SIGNS@HWU, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
  • 9-10 October 2025: Professional Advances: Signed Language Interpreting & Translation Studies, final public seminar of the post-graduate program Multilingual Sign Language Interpreting & Translation Studies (MITS), University of Siena and Mason Perkins Deafness Fund Onlus (MPDF Onlus), University of Siena - Mattioli Complex, Siena.
  • 13-14 September 2025: efsli 2025 Conference Translating Culture, VIP Executive Entrecampos Hotel & Conference, Lisbon.
  • 15-16 July 2025: III Doctoral Conference, Doctoral research program in Science of Interpretation, Department of Humanities, Catania.
  • 28-29 June 2025: The Together Conference for Sign Language Interpreters & Translators 2025, organised by BSL Interpretations, BSL 365 Interpreter, Sign Senei, online.
  • 19-21 June 2025: International Conference Spoken Communication Foggia 2025, Spoken Communication Study Group (Italian Linguistics Society), University of Foggia, Foggia.
  • 28-30 May 2025: International Conference on New Issues in Language Contact Studies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila.
  • 22-23 January 2025: International Conference on Digital Perspectives & Global Narratives in New Media Communication, online. The Applied Language and Culture Studies Research Lab (ALCS), FLHS, Chouaib Doukkali University & The Centre for Organizational and Social Studies (CEOS.PP) ISCAP, Polytechnic of Porto.
  • 12-13 December 2024: 7th Symposium on New Technologies in Audiovisual Translation and Accessible Tourism: Transforming Training for the Future, University of Palermo, Palermo.
  • 4-5 November 2024: 8th International PhD Conference Reimagining Crises. Turning Points in Language Studies and Literary Narratives, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice.
  • 19-21 September 2024: Varietà parlate, segnate, scritte: nuovi paradigmi interpretativi tra sincronia e diacronia, LVII International Congress of Italian Linguistics Society (SLI), University of Catania, Department of Humanities, Catania.
  • 13-15 September 2024: EFSLI (European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters) Conference 2024, Starhotels Majestics, Turin.
  • 8-9 July 2024: II Doctoral Conference – Doctoral research program in Science of Interpretation, University of Catania, Department of Humanities, Catania.
  • 4-5 September 2023: The integration of social-haptic communication in deafblind interpreting and educational settings, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Online participation (Zoom).
  • 8-10 June 2023: Spoken communication 2023. 20 years of Spoken Communication Study Group, Italian Linguistics Society (SLI) and Study Group for Spoken Communication (GSCP), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome.
  • 11-12 May 2023:  V LIS National Conference. Italian Sign Language: Cultural Heritage or Human Capital? Deaf National Association (ENS), Calabria University, Arcavacata (Cosenza, Italy).
  • 13-15 October 2022: Sign Café 2, University of Catania (Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Ragusa Ibla), LaCAM (Language and Communication Across Modalities Laboratory, National Research Council), SILIS (Italian Sign Language School), Ragusa Ibla.
  • 22-23 September 2022: Teaching LIS and LISt at University: Experiences, Materials, Teaching and Evaluation Tools. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice.
  • 9-11 November 2018: IV LIS National Conference. Italian Sign Language: a resource for the future. Deaf National Association (ENS), Rome.
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