Today, 23 September 2021, is International day of Sign Languages. For me this is a very important day and I think that each South African should know a Sign Language. Do I know it? No, I don’t, but I know the Sign Language alphabet. Who the heck spells out their words while talking!?
Why International Day of Sign Languages in plural form – because there are more than 300 different sign languages, including an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. WOW!! How awesome!
One of the things I learnt in school was the above alphabet, but who spells their words while talking? Below is a some basic signs for a few words that are used every day!
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages.
Why is 23rd September chosen as International Day of Sign Languages?
Because it commemorates the date in 1951 that the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) was established. This is a federation of 135 national associations of deaf people, representing approximately 70 million deaf people’s human rights worldwide.
Let’s celebrate International Day of Sign Languages and be grateful that we can hear AND be grateful that there is a way to communicate.