Do you know that there are about 72 million deaf individuals in our world today? And there are over 300 distinct sign languages used by this people altogether.
The International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually on 23rd September globally and it is a United Nations recognized event and it was founded by the World Federation of Deaf(WFD).
But these 72 million deaf individuals gore through a lot of struggle in their Day to day life in communicating is the general public is hardly know of any sign languages. So this day aims to raise awareness regarding this issue and also to encourage people to atleast have a basic knowledge in terms of Sign language.
| Event | International Day of Sign Languages |
|---|---|
| Date | September 23, 2022 |
| Day | Friday |
| Significance | The purpose of the day is to support deaf people worldwide and promote the use of sign languages |
| Observed by | World wide |
International Day of Sign Languages History:
Sign languages have been used by deaf people throughout history. In reality, Plato’s Cratylus, published in the 500 BC, has one of the oldest recorded accounts relating sign language. And most of these records are mentioned in various religious and cultural texts throughout human history.
Like it is mentioned in tedt that around 60 AD sign language was used for the first time as according to the first chapter of Luke's Gospel, the angel Gabriel rendered Zacharias, John the Baptist's father, speechless because of his disbelief regarding the use of sign language. And another such religious mention can be found in 685 AD as well when John of Beverley, who was a Bishop of York, taught a deaf individual to talk using a sign language and it was considered a miracle at that time and he was subsequently canonized.
Frenchman Charles-Michel de l'Épée published his manual alphabet in the 18th century, which has survived largely unchanged in France and North America until the present time. In 1755, Abbé de l'Épée founded the first school for deaf children in Paris and Laurent Clerc was considered its most famous graduate.
Later Clerc went to the United States with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to found the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1817. Gallaudet's son, Edward Miner Gallaudet, founded a school for the deaf in 1857 in Washington, D.C., which in 1864 became the National Deaf-Mute College.
Then the International Day of Sign Languages was finally recognized by the United Nations in 2017 and since 2018 it is a UN recognized event. It is celebrated on 23rd September as on this World Federation of Deaf(WFD) was founded in 1951.
International Day of Sign Languages Significance:
Sign languages are visual languages that transmit messages through the use of symbols and hand gestures. It is unknown that how many of these languages exist in our world today. In general, each country has its own sign language like in US its American sign language wheras in UK it is British sign language. Some countries, in fact, have more than one. But you don't have to worry as most of the symbols and gestures for basic communications remains mostly the same in all sign languages.
Although different sign language can implement with different regional accents to differentiate themselves and make it easy for them to use the signs. Sign language, which is rich in tradition and genuine in its usage and structure is also customized to regional preferences.
Most of all deaf people will also be mute due to an obvious reason. You must know that congenital hearing loss does not allow people to learn any spoken language whereas some people who suffer from hearing loss or turn deaf, can speak very well with clarity but still can't communicate through speaking be causing if hearing impairment.
We said you that 72 millions in the world are deaf today but about over 430 million people are in the stage of requiring rehabilitation for their hearing loss and by 2050 this number will cross the 700 million mark, which means every one in ten will have hearing related problems. Hence it is better to have a basic understanding of the sign language as that's a large amount of people and we should understand their problem as we have option to learn sign language but they don't have any option to learn spoken languages.
Hence the International Day of Sign Languages raises awareness regarding this issue and also motivates the people towards learning sign languages. That's why many rallies, seminars, some fun events, and various deaf awareness campaigns are organised on this day.
International Day of Sign Languages Theme:
Every year the International Day of Sign Languages has a specific theme catering to it which is declared by the World Federation of Deaf.
The theme for last year's International Day of Sign Languages in 2021 was "We Sign for Human Rights."
The theme for this year's International Day of Sign Languages 2022 is "Sign Languages Unite Us." The world will once again highlight the unity generated by our sign languages. Deaf communities, governments and civil society organisations maintain their collective efforts hand in hand in fostering, promoting and recognising national sign languages as part of their countries’ vibrant and diverse linguistic landscapes.
Most Searched FAQs on International Day of Sign Languages:
1. When is International Day of Sign Languages is observed?
International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on 23rd September worldwide.
2. How many types of sign languages are there?
Around the world, there are over 300 different sign languages in use today.
3. Which sign language is most used?
American sign language is the most widely used sign language in the world.