What is British Sign Language?
British Sign Language (BSL) is an unspoken language and has evolved wherever communities of deaf people have come together. Each country has its own sign language, just the same as with spoken languages. There are other non-BSL forms of sign language which include Cued Speech, Paget-Gorman Sign System, Signed English and Sign Supported English. These may include the use of speech. These forms do not represent the natural language of deaf people and are usually used in educational settings.

BSL is the first or preferred language of nearly 70,000 deaf people in the United Kingdom, and is our fourth indigenous language. The Government recognised BSL as a language, in its own right, on 25th March 2003. (Many thousands of hearing people also use it.) BSL is not based on English. Its signs do not match each English word and it has its own grammatical structure. It is a very visual language which is constantly developing and changing, as does every living language.

Does everyone in the world use the same sign language?
No. Each country with a community of deaf people in it has its own sign language.

Why do signs vary?
In spoken English, where you live for any period of time will influence the sound of your voice and the words you use (accents and dialects). It is similar in sign language. Historically, sign languages developed independently in small groups, such as residential schools, or in isolated communities like Martha’s Vineyard, because people did not tend to move about. Thus you had different signs in different areas, e.g. Scottish / English signs, Glasgow / Edinburgh signs. There is currently development of standardised signs for some specific areas of terminology, such as engineering and science.

How long will it take me to learn to sign?
It is different for everybody. Some people find it more easy than others and as it is a living, developing language you will always be learning. Find a class where you can learn alongside others.

How can I find a BSL course in my area?
Your local authority may run classes. You can also contact your local deaf society, whose number can be found in the telephone book. The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP) website has information on courses.

How do I become a sign language interpreter?
Before you can think of becoming an interpreter you must have first successfully completed several BSL courses.
In Scotland you can contact the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI) who will give you this information. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has information on courses in England and you can also contact the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) or the Council of Advancement in Communication with Deaf People (CACDP). All of these have websites.

Is there a dictionary that will teach me to sign?
There is a book, ‘Dictionary of BSL/English’ and the Stories in the Air BSL Dictionary CD-ROM and website, but it must be stressed that these are only useful as learning tools. True learning comes from tuition by deaf tutors and from interaction with deaf people.

If I learned to fingerspell, would I be able to communicate with a deaf person?
No. Fingerspelling is not sign language. It is used only to spell out proper names, place names and brand names. It may also be used for new technology or vocabulary, until a sign has been created and decided upon.

Then why should I learn to fingerspell?
For the reasons already mentioned above but fingerspelling does help to teach children the English alphabet. This is one of the first steps in the long developmental process of learning to read, write and comprehend English.

I am left-handed and find it very hard to fingerspell using my right hand. What can I do?
It is important to be comfortable and as a left-hander you should use this as the dominant hand. You can download free left and right handed BSL fingerspelling posters here (site link).

Which is easier to use, one or two-handed fingerspelling?
Neither one is easier or better. It will depend on which country you have learned in. Fingerspelling within BSL is two-handed, as in Australia and parts of the Commonwealth; while one-handed FSP is used in America, in some parts of Ireland, France and in other countries.

When should I not fingerspell?
Fingerspelling is used only to spell out proper names, place names and brand names. It may also be used for new technology or vocabulary, until a sign has been created and decided upon. It is also used to teach new English words. However, there is no point fingerspelling a word, if the person to whom it is being spelled does not know it. For example, fingerspelling “e-m-b-a-r-g-o” [as in the sentence “there was an embargo on selling guns to the locals”] is pointless if the person does not understand the concept of the word. From just reading the sentence its exact meaning is unclear.

What is meant by ‘being deaf’?
Generalisation cannot be made as each person is an individual. There is a wide range of deafness from partial to profound. People can be born deaf, or can become hard of hearing or deafened due to ageing, illness, accident, trauma or continuous exposure to excessive noise. There is a fourth category, ‘Deaf-Blind’. It must be recognised that each person will have his/her preferred means of communication and this is most important. These may be use of sign language, lip-reading / speech and use of specialist technology.

The correct expression used when talking about a person who is deaf is ‘a deaf person’. Be aware that you should not use phrases like ‘deaf and dumb’ as this is highly offensive.
Sometimes you will see the word deaf with a capital ‘D’. When you do see this it usually means you are talking about a person who embraces the language and culture of the Deaf community.

Sometimes a deaf person comes into my shop. I can’t sign so how can I make it easier for them?
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which came into force in October 2004 gives deaf people rights to reasonable access to services, and it is advisable to get in touch with an organisation which delivers training in deaf awareness.
However, there are several things which you can do yourself.
Ensure that you are not standing with your back to the window.

• Do not shout or exaggerate your mouth movements
• Do not turn away while speaking
• Keep a notepad and pen handy and keep it simple
• Have good lighting
• Learn some basic signs

Why do deaf people use facial expressions when they are communicating?
BSL involves the use of the hands, facial expressions and body movement. For example, these can combine to show placement, past, present and future tenses, noun (size, shape and distance etc). It does not involve the use of speech.

My grandfather has become deaf. Would it help him to learn to sign?
It depends of whether he wants to learn to sign. It can be beneficial as it can reduce the frustration of communicating with the family. It also would be advisable for everyone involved to learn some signs, as communication is a two-way process.

Why does my grandma refuse to wear her hearing aid if it will help her to hear?
It is a myth to think that wearing a hearing aid will restore perfect hearing. If a person is unable to read a book, watch television or drive a car it is possible to go to an optician and be fitted with a pair of glasses which can help them see better. However, when a person’s hearing deteriorates a hearing aid will only boost what hearing they have left. It will not fully restore what hearing they have lost.
It may also be that grandma finds it hard to accept that she is losing her hearing. Some people find wearing even the most expensive hearing aid uncomfortable. Grandma may find it helpful to wear her hearing aid somewhere relatively quiet, for a short period each day, until she becomes more accustomed. Ultimately it is up to her to decide what is best for her.

Why is it that some signs have changed since I first learned to sign?
Sign Language is a living language which is constantly developing. Most signs have stayed the same but some have changed. For example, if you look at the various signs that have been used for ‘telephone’ over the years you will see that the sign used has changed as rapidly as the communication technology has advanced. This has nothing to do with regional variations but to do with changes in concepts.

How do I attract a deaf person’s attention?
Stand in front of them. Don’t come up from behind and suddenly touch them as this can be very frightening. If the person is outwith touching distance then you could, gently, bang on a table, stamp your foot or flash the lights, or wave your hand. If you are beside them then lightly tap on their shoulder/arm. Be aware that a deaf child may touch you for attention. Ensure they understand that the area they touch must be appropriate.

I am a mainstream teacher and will have a deaf child in my class. I am worried because I cannot sign.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t sign – draw or do anything to communicate and put over the concepts. But don’t expect that the child will be able to read written information or instructions without help. Remember that English, with all its variations, is a very difficult language to learn, for anyone.

What can I do to ensure that the other children are deaf aware?
Contact the local deaf society and arrange for a deaf person to come in to give deaf awareness to the class and deaf awareness training to the whole school, involving everyone from the janitor, to the cook, to the headteacher.

What can I do to help a lip-reading child?

• ALWAYS FACE THE CHILD. If you must turn away, stop talking.
• Ensure that everyone speaks one at a time, in group work, to facilitate lip- reading.
• Do not speak with your back to a light source as this will put your face in shadow. Make sure that the child is not facing into direct sunlight.
• Ensure that the lighting within the room is good and always in working order. If it is a dull day, turn on the lights.
• Speak clearly, don’t shout and don’t exaggerate your lip movements.
• Do not hide your mouth with your hand or other objects.
• Do NOT talk when eating, as it is unpleasant to see food being chewed!!
• Do not chew gum while talking and expect a lip reader to be able to understand what you are saying!
• Be aware that some consonants look the same on your lips such as, ‘b, m, p’ and ‘t, d’ and ‘ch, sh’ and ‘f, v’. This will make some words look exactly the same for lip-readers. For example: bat, mat, and pat; tie and die; chip and ship; few and view; and many others. Remember, it is very tiring to lip-read all day and every day!
  

Should I simplify and abbreviate what I say to the deaf child?
No – you should attempt to give the child as much information as the other children. This may need more clarification, but they have the right to full access. You must try, no matter how difficult it is for you to give it. The same goes for non-emergency situations, outwith the classroom, such as visits to the dentist and doctor. Always make sure that the child knows where he is going, why he is going and what is going to happen to him when he gets there and when he will be returning home.

Are there any specific areas of the curriculum where the deaf child will need extra help?
There might be some areas where there is a need for additional support in the form of a facilitator/classroom assistant. Don’t expect a deaf child to be able to read informal language, in any situation, without help. Be aware of how difficult the English language is with its metaphors, idioms, slang and catch phrases which change continually. [We’re sure you can think of lots of others but here are a few to think about “piping hot” and “gone to pot” “to add insult to injury”.] BSL users will use the equivalent sign language metaphor to demonstrate visually the meaning of an English phrase. But they will not sign word for word. For example, ‘Drop dead!’ is not shown by signing the word ‘drop’ and the word ‘dead’. Instead there is a sign equivalent of the meaning, which involves the use of correct handshapes, facial expressions and body language as appropriate. One area of the curriculum where special care needs to be taken is PE, for example, swimming. Make sure the instructor communicates with the child before he goes into the water, to ensure that the child knows exactly what he is expected to do. His hearing aid(s) will have been taken out before he gets into the water so he will not be able to hear instructions or warnings about safety etc. Most Deaf people love to swim and there is no reason, apart from specific safety reasons, why they shouldn’t go in the water.

- Thelma Petty and Elizabeth Glass