International Day of Sign Languages: What is it all about?
- Published
- comments
Should everyone learn sign language?
Each year on 23 September people celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages, to recognise the importance of sign languages around the world.
The aim of the special day is to remind big companies, worldwide organisations and global governments of the importance and significance of sign languages.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide.
There are over 300 different sign languages and over 70,000 deaf people in the UK have British Sign Language as their first language.
The want to encourage schools to teach sign language as part of the curriculum in order to make sure nobody is left out.
What are the most common forms of sign language in the UK?
WATCH: Things you can do to help deaf children understand you better
British Sign Language (BSL)
British Sign Language is an official British language used mainly by people who are deaf or experience hearing problems.
It's a visual way of communicating using your hands, facial expression, and body language.
Sign Supported English
WATCH: Jovita, 14, tells her story of what it is like to be deaf in a hearing world
Sign Supported English is similar to BSL but the person would sign in the order they would speak the words.
Makaton
WATCH: Jake, 16, is a finalist in the 麻豆社 Young Reporter competition after telling his story of being the UK's first Makaton-friendly DJ
If someone is communicating using Makaton, you may hear them speaking out loud and see them signing at the same time.
Makaton is used by CBeebies star Justin Fletcher in his show Something Special with Mr Tumble.
- Published22 March 2017
- Published29 January 2019
- Published13 August 2021
- Published9 April 2018
