Today’s post is by Anjena Raghuram. She is the founder of Saksham remedial centre for the specially abled, in Bangalore. A corporate trainer turned into a Special Needs Instructor, she describes herself as a seeker and an optimist. In this post, she talks about the importance of sign language and how by learning some basic sign language, we can help making conversations more accessible and inclusive for deaf individuals.

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The learning process for deaf kids would be difficult without sign language, technology, a special educator, and an interpreter, according to Ferdinand Marshillong, a research scholar from Shillong, Meghalaya, who is also hard of hearing.

Ferdinand developed hearing loss at the age of 10, but he was not aware of it at the time. “I didn’t realize I was different from my peers until Class IX. I simply read the notes and copied anything my bench mate made note of because there was no special educator present or technology. I had always felt isolated, but I later realized how crucial sign language is to the deaf community, says Ferdinand.

The International Day of Sign Languages was first marked in 2018 and is now celebrated on September 23 across the globe. You might be wondering why it’s vital to be aware of this day. It’s because approximately 20% of people around the world, according to government statistics, have hearing loss. The World Health Organization predicts that around 2.5 billion individuals will have hearing loss by the year 2050, thus these numbers will only continue to climb! We must therefore be proficient in sign language in order to interact with our hearing-impaired and deaf acquaintances. Nearly 72 million deaf and hearing persons use sign language worldwide at the moment.

Sign language is a crucial mode of communication for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, and it’s also a fascinating and rich form of language in its own right. Here are some key points to highlight about sign language:

1. Visual Language: Sign languages are visual languages, primarily using hand movements, gestures, facial expressions, and body postures to convey meaning. This visual aspect makes them distinct from spoken languages, which rely on auditory cues.
2. Grammar and Syntax: Sign languages have their own distinct grammatical rules and sentence structures. They are not simply a manual representation of spoken language; they have their own syntax, which includes rules for word order, tense, and aspect.
3. Cultural Influence: Sign languages are strongly influenced by the culture of the deaf community in a particular region. This means that different countries and regions may have their own sign languages with unique vocabulary and cultural nuances.
4. Diversity: Just as there are many spoken languages in the world, there are also numerous sign languages. American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and Australian Sign Language (Auslan) are just a few examples. Each has its own grammar and vocabulary.
5. Regional Variation: Within a single country, there can be regional variations of sign language. For example, ASL used in the United States may have some differences from Canadian Sign Language (CSL), even though they share a common history.
6. Accessibility: Sign language is vital for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities as it provides a means of communication that doesn’t rely on sound. It helps facilitate communication, education, and social interaction for these individuals.
7. Recognition: Many countries have recognized sign language as an official language or a language of instruction in schools, reflecting its importance in the lives of deaf individuals.
8. Sign Language Interpreters: Sign language interpreters play a crucial role in bridging the communication gap between the deaf community and the hearing world. They facilitate communication in various settings, such as schools, hospitals, and public events.
9. Deaf Culture: Sign language is closely tied to deaf culture, which has its own customs, values, and identity. Deaf culture celebrates sign language as an integral part of the community’s identity.
10. Global Sign Languages: While sign languages are often associated with specific countries or regions, there are also efforts to develop and promote international sign languages, which aim to facilitate communication among deaf individuals from different linguistic backgrounds.

In summary, sign languages are vibrant and complex forms of communication with their own grammar, syntax, and cultural significance. They provide a means for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to connect with others and participate fully in society, and they are an essential part of the diversity of languages in the world.

There are more than 300 different sign languages in the world, and there isn’t a single universal sign language used by everyone. As mentioned earlier, sign languages are diverse and unique to specific regions and communities. Each sign language has its own vocabulary, grammar, and cultural influences, making it distinct from others. The existence of numerous sign languages highlights the linguistic and cultural diversity within the global deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Just as there are many spoken languages spoken around the world, sign languages reflect this same diversity, and each serves as a means of communication for its respective community. This diversity underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting the linguistic and cultural identities of deaf individuals and their communities.

When it comes to interacting with those who are deaf, having a basic understanding of Indian Sign Language can make all the difference because it makes communication easier and promotes human engagement. “People are unaware that I am hard of hearing, which is an invisible condition. I have to rely on my interpreter whenever I go to the bank, meet with government officials, or get checked out at a clinic, recalls Ferdinand, the former president of the Meghalaya Deaf Association, who was instrumental in organizing and delivering sign language training to government officials, college students, teachers, and even the local church in Meghalaya.

Learning some basic sign language can go a long way in making conversations more accessible and inclusive for deaf individuals.

Remember that sign languages, have their own grammar and syntax, so these signs are just a starting point. It’s essential to learn from a reliable source or, even better, take a formal sign language course to gain a deeper understanding of the language and its nuances. Additionally, if you’re communicating with a deaf individual who uses a different sign language (such as British Sign Language or Indian Sign Language), these signs may not be directly applicable. However, the effort to learn and communicate in sign language is universally appreciated and shows respect for the deaf community’s communication needs.

This post is a part of “International Day of Persons with Disability” blog hop hosted by Sakshi Varma – Tripleamommy. #IDPD2023Bloghop. Access all posts of this bloghop at Championing Diversity, Uniting Voices: Commemorating IDPD Together

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