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Learn to Sign Week 2008

What is Sign Language?

British Sign Language (BSL) is the natural language of the Deaf Community in Britain. It is quite different from spoken English, and is rich, varied and as complex as any other language. It can appear quite fascinating to people who don’t understand it and makes many people keen to find out more. Once you start learning, you will be hooked! It is important to remember that it is a living language, and you cannot separate BSL from the community who use it; it is their language, and in learning it you are opening up a door into another world.

A few myths dispelled …

• British Sign Language is not a visual form of English: it has its own grammar and structure so it is just like learning a foreign language.

• Sign language is not universal; each country has its own sign language.

• BSL is not a form of glorified mime, pantomime or a performance art.

• Being able to sign does not mean you can automatically lipread!

Why learn to sign?

Deaf people face barriers in their lives everyday. Announcements over tannoy systems, traffic noises, radio, TV, and basic communication with staff in shops, banks and public services can all be inaccessible to Deaf people. With English as a second language, it can be very frustrating to always have to try and communicate with people who have no experience of deafness and no idea what to do. To meet someone who has learnt a few signs, had deaf awareness training, and made the effort, can be the key to a happy customer or the beginning of a lifelong friendship!

For an insight into BSL, please click on the buttons below to view our sketches. (This requires JavaScript to be enabled, and you may have to enable popups temporarily.)

For details of the Society’s training courses in BSL, please click the button below: