(2).png){kind=icon}
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Did you know that there are over 300 different sign languages in use? That’s a lot of languages! And what better time to learn one (or more!) of these languages than on International Day of Sign Languages which takes place on the 23rd September every year.
This internationally celebrated day, looks at the various sign languages across the world and those that use them and helps raise awareness. The day falls in line with the anniversary of the launch of the World Federation of the Deaf, on 23rd September 1951. Since then, sign languages have been celebrated using different themes to incorporate every one of the sign languages used across the world and the people that learn them.
According to stats from the World Federation of the Deaf, there are around 72 million people who have hearing loss, are hard of hearing or are deaf and many of these people use some form of sign language, along with those that have communication issues and other difficulties. Sign languages are fully fledged languages, much like English or French, and though they are structurally different to the spoken and written word, they are just as important. In the UK, we use BSL, or British Sign Language or Makaton, which is a simplified version of BSL. As well as this, there are also international sign languages, as well as sign languages used by other English speaking countries, like America and Australia.
There are lots of different ways you can observe International Day of Sign Languages, one of the best ways to do so is to learn one of the 300 varieties of sign languages and there are loads of ways that you can do this! There are online resources teaching you the basic signs as well as TV shows, such as Mr Tumble, which uses Makaton to communicate, or you could sign up to lessons, either online or through a local college. That’s not the only way you can celebrate though, you could donate to one of the many charities offering support to those that use sign languages or host your own fundraising event to do so. Why not get family and friends to sponsor you to learn a sign language?
If you’re planning to do something for International Day of Sign Languages, let us know or perhaps you already know a sign language, in which case, let us know your favourite sign!
