Language, as a medium of communication, does not only adhere to being verbal. It can be done through sounds or through signs. The International Day of Sign Languages is the day which celebrates those who cannot either speak or hear or are bereft of both.
Sign language
This is a certain kind of language that differs on the basis of its application and understanding. The majority of people acquire verbal speech as the medium of conversation, but certain percentages around the globe are blessed differently.
It is their own universal language that helps them attain their beautiful place amongst everyone. Individuals who are deaf or mute converse through signs.
It is the combination of visual and manual articulation to communicate. Mostly used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can be understood by mute individuals as well.
It is to acknowledge these people that the International Day of Languages is celebrated annually on September 23rd around the world.
The History of Sign Language
It is noted that during the time of Plato, it was suggested as a means of communication. Furthermore, till the 19th century, sign language had always been in suggestive progress.
With consistent efforts over multiple decades and centuries, people with gifts of being different attained their own language. The symbols represented through movements of hands and even body parts are now considered it.
As there are many countries and many languages, there is a remarkable difference between the languages encountered across the globe.
Types of Sign
Positively confirmed, language development has increased the availability of something as valuable as the ability to communicate. The deaf and mute communities are both pleased with the level of accessibility they have to express themselves.
Being gifted with a challenge in a world that slanders anything out of the ordinary needs a helping hand. This help has been accorded through different kinds of sign language based on the country and their native language.
Sign language has also attained distinction because of its growing variants of ethnicity and culture.
We know no sign language is universal, hence the need for multiple sign languages consisting of their own kinds of syllables and word formations. Different types of sign language include:
- American Sign Language (ASL) is maintained through the use of single-handed expressions.
- British, Australian, and New Zealand Sign Language (BANZSL); expression is expressed with both hands.
- Chinese Sign Language (CSL)
- French Sign Language (FSL); paved way for ASL
- Japanese Sign Language (JSL) or Nihon Shuwa
- Arabic Sign Language
- Spanish Sign Language (SSL)
- Mexican Sign Language (MSL)
Differences amongst Sign languages
As researched and reported, there are multiple differences between the same alphabet in sign language. It can be noticed in how ASL is different from BANZSL in that one uses 26 hand shapes for each alphabet but only with one hand, whereas the latter uses 26 hand shapes with both hands.
Other than this, it is the word formation and grammatical placements of the speaker’s language that produce different results. Some languages use more than 26 single hand shapes to express a sentence, whereas others fall short.
For example, Ukrainian Sign Language (USL) uses a single hand of 33 signs, forming 23 hand shapes. On the other hand, Japanese Sign Language (JSL) uses 45 single-hand signs for 100 distinct syllables, forming one hand shape for one sound.
Â
Mental health and Sign languages
The stress of being unacceptable in a society that has the highest standards naturally creates a mental barrier. This barrier, repeatedly initiated and triggered by the members of society and the circumstances brought by them, proves harmful to people with any form of disability.
The deaf and mute community are no strangers to the differing standards of society and regularly face slander. There are organisations that work in order to safeguard the mental, emotional and social well-being of people in this community.
WFD for Sign Language
International Sign Language is organized by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an association of 135 national deaf people representing 70 million deaf people and their human rights.
The federation assures the awareness of sign language and protects the human rights of these gifted people. This day was proposed by the said federation at a United Nations General Meeting in 2017.
The date was set for September 23rd in honour of the foundation of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951 in Rome.
They provide solid grounds for early access to sign language and equality with good quality of education. It is to bring individuals of the deaf community to a par excellence level generally denied to them.
The theme of this years’ celebration is ‘Sign Language Unite Us’ bringing people from across the globe in support of deaf community.
The Indian government’s position on Sign Language
In 2021, it was announced by PM Modi that sign language would be part of the curriculum for school education as part of the National Education Policy (NEP). This initiative was brought out on the first anniversary of this new NEP.
Before this initiation of equality in the education of deaf individuals through the policy, in 2015, the government formed the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRT) to address the needs of ISL propagation amongst teachers and family members.
We, as a society
Our initiative begins with accepting deaf and mute people as part of our world. They might be gifted with a challenge, but they have all the same rights as every other human that walks the earth.
As a society, we should be more understanding and welcoming of the unfortunate disability challenges faced by people around us. No disability should be a reason for discrimination.
We come to this earth to bid our time and return to our heavenly abode. Utilising this time on hand for the higher good of our fellow beings is a necessary step and we should be up for it.
Read More:Water discovered in dust particles from asteroid Ryugu might provide hints to life on EarthÂ
