International Day of Sign Language - History, Significance, Theme and How to Celebrate

International Day of Sign Language

1. When is the International Day of Sign Language Observed?

September 23 was declared International Day of Sign Languages by the United Nations General Assembly. International sign language day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of sign language. 2018 marked the first year of the celebration. In 1951, the World Federation of the Deaf was founded on this date which is why the International Day of Sign Language is celebrated on 21 September.

2. International Day of Sign Language Observed: What is it?

Every year on September 23, people all over the world observe International Day of Sign Languages to promote awareness of the value of sign language. On this day, sign language users, especially those who are audibly impaired, are encouraged to support and defend their linguistic identities.

3. History of International Day of Sign Language

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), a coalition of 135 national deaf groups that advocates for the rights of almost 70 million deaf people worldwide, proposed the creation of the International Day of Sign Language. On December 19, 2017, the resolution A/RES/72/161 was unanimously approved by the General Assembly after being submitted by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN and co-sponsored by 97 UN Member States.

The date of September 23 has been chosen to honor that year's WFD founding anniversary. Today is the beginning of an advocacy group whose primary objective is the preservation of sign languages and deaf culture as necessary conditions for the fulfilment of deaf people's human rights.

During the first International Week of the Deaf in 2018, the International Day of Sign Languages was observed for the first time. Since its inception in September 1958, the International Week of the Deaf has grown into a worldwide movement of deaf solidarity and concentrated lobbying to bring attention to the problems that deaf people deal with on a daily basis.

4. What is the Significance of the International Day of Sign Language?

In order to promote understanding of sign languages' significance as a component of linguistic and cultural diversity, the Day of Sign Languages was established. There are roughly 72 million deaf people in the globe, according to the World Federation of the Deaf. They utilize more than 300 distinct sign languages collectively, with over 80 percent living in underdeveloped nations.

The importance of sign languages is acknowledged by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The day supports the recognition of sign languages as legitimate languages, much like spoken ones. It "promotes the language identity of the deaf population," according to the United Nations.

The celebration is crucial in protecting the deaf community's rights. It aims to uphold sign languages' status as having a fundamental place in the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world.

The UN resolution that served as the inspiration for the designation of the day underlines the value of sign language instruction for the deaf community's overall development.

5. Theme of International Day of Sign Language

International Day of Sign Language 2022 Theme: Sign Languages Unite Us

International Day of Sign Language 2021 Theme: We Sign for Human Rights

International Day of Sign Language 2020 Theme: Sign Languages Are for Everyone

International Day of Sign Language 2019 Theme: Sign Language Rights for All

International Day of Sign Language 2018 Theme: With Sign Language, everyone is Included

6. What is Sign Language?

People utilize sign languages as their primary form of communication worldwide. The structure of sign languages differs from that of spoken languages. The structural differences between spoken language and sign language should be particularly noted. There is a fundamental structural distinction between the sign languages. People all throughout the world utilize more than 300 different sign languages. People should be aware of the function of sign languages.

Alphabets in Sign Language
 
Aplhabets in Sign Language
Aplhabets in Sign Language
In sign languages, meaning is conveyed visually and through manual interaction. The expression of sign languages includes manual articulation and non-manual markers. A sign language has its own grammar and lexicon, just like any other language. Even though there are similarities between different sign languages, there are no universal sign languages that are mutually intelligible.

Numbers in Sign Language
Numbers in Sign Language
 
How to Say "Sorry" in Sign Language?

Take your fist and place it right over your heart. The fist should be rubbed a few times in a circular motion.

Show your sincere regret by expressing it with your facial expression. A person's heart feels sorry when they are sorry. Remember the sign by using this cue.

Sorry in Sign Language
How to Say "Thank You" in Sign Language?

Taking your dominant hand to your chin and moving it slightly down and toward the person you are speaking to is the sign of "Thank You" or "Thanks".

Thank You in Sign Language
How to Say "Hello" in Sign Language?

You can sign "hello" by placing your hand on your forehead close to your ear and moving it away from your body for a few seconds. Keep a smile on your face!

Hello in Sign Language
How to Say "I Love You" in Sign Language?

In this case, you are saying "I love you" in a more formal way - as you would when talking to a parent, child, or loved one.

Place your finger over your heart and point to yourself. The second step is to make fists and cross your arms over your heart. It's like hugging someone. The third step is to point at the person you're speaking to.

I Love You in Sign Language
How to Say "Enjoy" in Sign Language?

Hold one hand over the chest and the other over the abdomen. It is necessary to move both hands at the same time, but when one moves left, the next moves right.

Enjoy in Sign Language
How to Say "Sad" in sign Language?

Putting your hands in front of your face is the first step. Fingers are slightly separated and palms face you.

The second step is to draw both hands down a few inches while making a sad face.

Sign in Sign Language
How to Say "Family" in Sign Language?

You need to perform several hand motions to say "family," starting with: Holding your thumb to your index finger and the remaining fingers up, as if to say "ok," first form the letter F sign. Put both of your hands to work at once, left and right.

Family in Sign Language
7. What to Do on International Day of Sign Languages?

Take Part in Creating Awareness: An additional way of taking part in the International Day of Sign Languages is by raising awareness! There are many different sign languages, but many people are ignorant of them. Additionally, they are ignorant of the global prevalence of sign languages. Educate people on this day by taking the initiative.

Get to Know the Sign Language: It is a wonderful idea to learn sign language in honor of this day. This can be accomplished using several excellent online resources. The impact of learning sign language on someone's life may be enormous. Imagine how wonderful it would be to greet someone in their language and in a way that they can understand by going out of your way to learning their language.


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