It's International Sign Language Day! September 23rd

Albus_Alumni
Albus_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 11,373 Championing
edited September 2025 in Announcements and information


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.

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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. 🤯

Comments

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 3,893 Online Community Team

    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!

  • jonf
    jonf Community Member Posts: 443 Pioneering

    I think it should be part of the national curriculum for all children to learn BSL. I once dated a deaf girl who taught me, maybe I learned through fear as if I spoke while looking the other way she used to poke me.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,916 Online Community Team

    I agree @jonf. My grandma taught me a little when I was younger but it'd be good if there was some coverage in schools.

  • jonf
    jonf Community Member Posts: 443 Pioneering

    there are plenty of free apps for people to learn to sign

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 5,880 Championing

    My daughter taught me the alphabet and I've watched some online reels, unusual because I rarely do. I think children would really enjoy learning BSL at school!

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