It seems that at this time of social isolation, the bird song sounds much louder than it used to. In the fields where I walk, I hear the calls of the pheasants and, only yesterday, a rustle from the hedges alerted me to a deer bounding through the garden. Very occasionally, I hear a plane and wonder where it’s going.
In isolation, I can hear everything more vividly than I did before.
Isolation, in some regards, is something which deaf people face day-in-day-out. There are about 11 million people in the UK who are deaf or hearing-impaired (Government Digital Service, 2017). For them, silence is a lockdown which will never be lifted.
Watching the daily government briefings online, I became aware that each is accompanied by a simultaneous sign language translation. It then occurred to me, why, in all my television viewing during this period, is this the only broadcast adapted for the deaf? Doesn’t everyone have the right to communication?
It is with this in mind that I decided to embark on learning British Sign Language (BSL). Available, at this time, for donations of £3 and above, the Level 1 course is available online, consisting of 9 units, each with a marked test, and a final exam at the end.
British Sign Language is different to sign languages spoken in other countries. It consists of an extensive range of gestures which sometimes mimic the action or object (for example, a caterpillar is a horizontal index finger bending and straightening). In contrast, others seem to have no connection whatsoever (they just have to be learnt I’m afraid.)
In 2003, the government acknowledged British Sign Language as an official language. Of course, in the British Isles, we have other official languages, not just English. From 2022, Welsh will be compulsory for all students ages 3 to 16 alongside English. Similar regulations are in place to promote learning Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic in their respective homelands.
Deafness affects people in all corners of the British Isles. Why is it then that the learning of sign language is not compulsory in our schools like Welsh is in Wales?
In 2018, the House of Commons debated this very question, should “British Sign Language being part of the National Curriculum?” (UK Parliament, 2018). The government responded that there were “no plans to change the current national curriculum for schools. The national curriculum has been designed to focus on the essential knowledge that must be taught.” (UK Government & Parliament, 2018) The explanation went further to say that as BSL could not meet a number of the requirements of a taught language, such as written expression. Therefore, it also was not deemed worthy of being taught in all schools.
It feels to me incredibly unjust that the government is prioritising the teaching of foreign languages over teaching British children to communicate in Sign with people of our own nationality.
For the learner, the benefits of sign language include the acquisition of a practical skill, means to communicate and way to develop empathy. For the hearing impaired, the opportunity to grow up in a generation where sign language is taught widely will facilitate communication and help draw them into the heart of British society.
I am really pleased that I have taken the time to complete the course. I have learnt many useful words and expressions which will help me communicate in the future. I also feel that I stepped into the non-hearing world in some small way and developed more empathy because of it.
Sadly, there is a certain irony associated with this strange locked-down world that I currently inhabit. I have learnt all these new signs to communicate and am keen to try to them out. However, as none of my immediate household is hearing impaired (despite my brother appearing so whenever anything needs doing), social distancing means I can’t actually practise my new skill with anybody, yet.
For more information go to: www.british-sign.co.uk
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