British Sign Language

British Sign Language (BSL) is the sign language used in the United Kingdom (UK), and is the first or preferred language of nearly 250,000 deaf and hearing impared people in the UK. The language makes use of space and involves movement of the hands, body, face and head. Many thousands of people who do not have hearing problems also use BSL, as interpreters or just for communication with the deaf and hearing impared.

Relationships with other sign languages

Although the United Kingdom and the United States share English as the predominant spoken language, British Sign Language is quite distinct from American Sign Language (ASL). BSL fingerspelling is also different from ASL as it uses two hands instead of one. BSL is also distinct from Irish Sign Language (ISL) (ISG in the ISO system) which is more closely related to French Sign Language (LSF) and ASL. Both BSL and ISG are used in Northern Ireland. It is also distinct from Signed English, a manually coded method expressed to represent the English language.

The sign languages used in Australia and New Zealand, Auslan and New Zealand Sign Language, respectively, evolved largely from 19th Century BSL, and all retain the same manual alphabet, grammar, and similar lexicon. BSL, Auslan and NZSL together may be called BANZSL. Makaton, a communication system for people with cognitive impairments or other communication difficulties, was originally developed with signs borrowed from British Sign Language.

BSL users campaigned to have BSL recognised on a similar level to Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish. BSL was recognised as an official British language by the UK government on 18 March 2003, but it has no legal protection. In New Zealand, New Zealand Sign Language has joined English and Māori to become that country's third official language.

Usage

BSL has what could loosely be termed 'accents' or dialects. Signs used in Scotland, for example, may not always be understood in the South of England, and vice versa. Some signs are even more local, occurring only in certain towns or cities. Likewise, some may go in or out of fashion, or evolve over time, just as terms in spoken languages do.

Many British television channels broadcast programmes with in-vision signing, using BSL, as well as specially made programmes aimed mainly at deaf people such as the BBC's See Hear and Channel 4's VEE-TV.

Learning British Sign Language

British Sign Language can be learnt throughout the UK and an examination system exists. Courses are provided by Community Colleges, local Centres for Deaf People and private organisations. Most tutors are native users of sign language and hold a relevant teaching qualification.

The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People provides awards at the following level:

Level I – Elementary
Level II – Intermediate
NVQ 3 – Advanced
VQ 4 – Required as part of the NVQ 4 BSL/English Interpreting

The Sign Community British Deaf Association has formed the BSL Academy to provide an official British Sign Language curriculum and tutor training.

Becoming a BSL / English Interpreter

Interpreters must have an advanced knowledge of English and BSL and must have the capacity to accurately process information very quickly.

After completing the NVQ 3 BSL assessment, interpreters may apply for the status of "Junior Trainee Interpreter" and undertake work in restricted settings. Once at this level, university courses exist to assist people at becoming full interpreters. Courses are often mapped against the CACDP NVQ 3 or 4 in BSL and/or NVQ 4 BSL/English Interpreting. Once registered with an approved course, interpreters are eligible for the "Trainee Interpreter" title and can work in a wider variety of settings.

After completing an approved course and once the interpreter has been assessed for the NVQ 4 in BSL Interpreting, it is possible to apply to become a "Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters" (MRSLI). This status will allows an interpreter to work in all settings. Even once MRSLI status is achieved, however, an interpreter is required to undertake Continuous Professional Development.

The Association of Sign Language Interpreters also provides seminars, a network of regional groups and a mentoring scheme. When available, specialist training will be required to work in specific domains. Membership is available at Affiliate, Corporate, Associate and Licensed levels. The latter two categories provide the interpreter with professional indemnity insurance.

Any applications for Junior, Trainee or MRSLI status will be considered and vetted by the Independent Registration Panel. To be eligible, requirements such as the relevant qualifications and a clean criminal record must be met.

External links

British Deaf Association – sign language community
The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People – a UK charity whose primary aim is to improve and facilitate communication between Deaf and hearing people
Association of Sign Language Interpreters – Information and resources for BSL / English Interpreters and their Consumers
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf – The UK's best-known charity focussing on improving accessibility for Deaf people
Deaf 24/7 – Internet resource on deafness and British Sign Language related information especially in the United Kingdom
Waterfall Rainbows – A website containing British Sign Language Resources, including free resources for learning sign language and fingerspelling.
A British Sign Language website
Learning BSL
A large library of BSL Signs in the form of videos
Sign Language / Interpreting Resources - Delivering services in the deaf community

Languages of the United Kingdom | Sign languages