It's International Sign Language Day! September 23rd

Albus_Scope

You can't see what I did behind the screen, but I just gave an amazing introduction to this day using (BSL) british sign language. You'll just have to take my word for it that it was brilliant. 😁

International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated each year on September 23rd. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in achieving the human rights of deaf people and highlight the importance of sign languages in promoting diversity through language and culture.

This years theme is "No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights". This theme emphasizes that the full realization of human rights for deaf people is dependent on their ability to access and use sign language, aligning with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and promoting equality and inclusion for deaf communities worldwide.

On a more lighthearted note, did you know that sign languages have regional dialects too? You could see them as different accents. For instance someone from Glasgow using the sign for "green" will be different from someone from London. 🤯

Rachel_Scope

I learned sign language many years ago and found the signs for places interesting. The 2 I remember are Doncaster, where you sign the St Leger racecourse sash from your shoulder to your hip, and Durham is the door knockers on the cathedral where you sign twisting them!

I worked in a primary school that had a Deaf provision and it was wonderful to see the Deaf children integrated with the other children. They were able to communicate via sign language and, using a special microphone, could listen to the teacher. It was a great way for the children to learn some sign language!