International Day of Sign Language on 23 September 2023

The aim of the International Day of Sign Languages is to raise public awareness of the importance of sign languages for the full realization of the human rights of the deaf. According to the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, there are more than 70 million deaf people in the world, using over 300 different sign languages for communication. 

British Sign Language (BSL) involves a combination of hand shapes and movements, lip patterns, facial expressions, and shoulder movements. It has its own grammar and is structured in a completely different way from English. In BSL, you start with the main subject or topic. After that, you refer to something about the topic – for example: 

• English: What is your name? 
• BSL: Name – what? 

In Northern Ireland, Irish Sign Language (ISL) is used as well as BSL.  Fingerspelling is the BSL alphabet. Certain words – usually names of people and places – are spelled out on fingers. Fingerspelling alone isn’t signing language, but it can help you to communicate with someone who is Deaf. You can quickly learn the fingerspelling alphabet with our free fingerspelling card. Click here to access. 

Why not take the 3-minute Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) hearing check? Click here to access. 

The college supports visitors with hearing difficulties with their loop systems which are available in the reception areas. 

The National Deaf Children’s Society Northern Ireland is offering a free online Family Sign Language course on 11 October and will be held from 18:00pm to 19:00 pm for six consecutive weeks. This course is designed for families of deaf children aged 0 to 5 years. To register for the event, click here.   

If you have any concerns regarding your hearing and need confidential and impartial information, contact RNID - click here. 

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