International Day of Sign Languages
The International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is approved via UN General Assembly’s resolution A/RES/72/161 which was adopted on December 19th 2017. The International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated on 23rd September every year. The date was chosen as the date of establishment of the World Federation of Deaf.
Purpose Of The International Day Of Sign Languages:
Approximately there are 72 million individuals having hearing impairment all around the world. The major contributors are the developing countries. The goal of this day i.e. International Day of Sign Languages is:
- To improve awareness about sign languages.
- To increase awareness about persons with hearing impairment/deaf.
- Preservation of sign language
- Considering sign language as a part of linguistic diversity.
- Encouraging deaf/hearing impaired communities including language interpreters and NGOs.
What is Sign Language?
The languages that convey meaning visually via gestures of hand and body language are referred to as sign languages. More than 300 sign languages are being used. Sign language has a different structure than of the spoken language. An international sign language also exists mostly used during travelling and international meetings. In 1755 the first school for hearing impaired/deaf children was formed in Paris.
“Sign language is the equal of speech, lending itself equally to the rigorous and the poetic, to philosophical analysis or to making love”. Oliver Sacks
Themes Of The “International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL)”:
Here is the list of previous themes:
- “Sign Languages are for Everyone!” (Theme of 2020 IDSL)
- “Sign Language Rights for All!” (Theme of 2019 IDSL)
- “With Sign Language, Everyone is Included” (Theme of 2018 IDSL)
Celebrating “International Day Of Sign Languages (IDSL)”:
There are many ways to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages.
Some of them are:
- Learning a sign language.
- Increasing awareness as many people still does not know about sign languages and their benefits.
- Encouraging people so that they donate organizations working for deaf/ hearing-impaired individuals.
- Utilize social media to educate your own circle of contacts.
- Recognizing the culture & heritage of the deaf/hearing impaired population.
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