British Sign Language

Question: British Sign Language is recognized but has no legal protection, what does this mean? British Sign Language is recognized but has no legal protection, what does this mean? What services does this not cover that the Disability Discrimination Act doesn't already cover?

Answer: That means that is not consider to have the same importance or is not as mandatory as the English language is yet. Users of BSL (British Sign Language) successfully campaigned the government of the United Kingdom and made BSL into an officially recognized British language back on 18 March 2003. British Sign Language is now recognized on the same level as other languages of the United Kingdom such as Scottish, Welsh and Gaelic. According: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/opinion/bsl_goes_mainstream_the_logical_end.shtml Total inclusion of BSL as an official language would mean: * Increased access for Deaf people to information. Total BSL recognition and inclusion in the European Charter could mean services provided ad hoc. There would be equal access to public information and health care, on par with that of non-Deaf. * Recognition would mean further equality for Deaf people; we would no longer be seen as second-rate citizens. * Access to education for young Deaf children would improve. Deaf children should be given the right to an education in their natural and preferred language. BSL could also be provided as a language choice on the National Curriculum! * The DDA prevents discrimination in the workplace, but this is not infallible. BSL recognition will put us on an equal par. * An overall increase in Deaf confidence! Recent studies held by Mind into Deafness and mental health show that Deaf people suffer higher rates of anxiety and depression than able-bodied people. This can be linked to communication difficulties. BSL recognition and inclusion on a national basis would be a major step towards removing these barriers.

Question: Why are British Sign Language and American Sign Language so different? Why are American Sign Language and British Sign Language so different from each other? I noticed this, and am perplexed as to why this is. I know that they are not based on English. However, I am curious as to how they developed independently so that now they are completely and utterly different from each other. I realize that ASL is based on French Sign Language, but what caused ASL and BSL to develop so differently and independently?

Answer: Each country has its own sign language. There is no relation between the spoken language and the sign language of a particular country, Think that communities with deafness are more isolated between them than people who can speak, and the sign language is formed when they communicate with each other, in the same way spoken languages are formed. That's the reason why each region has its own sign language. Sign language is going to disappear because nowadays kids born with deafness can be treated. The ones who use sign language are, approximately, 25 years old or older.

Question: How similar are British, American and Canadian Sign Language? If I learn American sign language, will I still be able to communicate with someone who only knows British sign language? What about Canadian?

Answer: as far as i knew ASL and BSL are very different. for one thing isn't ASL signed using only one hand, where BSL is 2 handed? i know nothing about canadian though i'm afraid.

Question: what are the British Sign Language sign for the words 'heaven' and 'hell'? Could anyone describe what the signs for Heaven and Hell are? must be in british sign language! if anyone has any video links to them or anything that would be great! Thank you guys!

Answer: Heaven - arms bent at elbows so they are in a straight line with the shoulders and hands (slightly cupped) open and pointing above your head. Finger almost touch above your head then swing hands open to shoulder height in a small arc. The eye gaze is directed up and forward This is a sign which you might invent if you didn't know it and would probably get it right! Hell is mimicking the horns of the devil. Right hand - close middle 3 fingers leaving thumb and small finger pointing upwards, thus making what looks like a set of horns. Hold your hand (back of hand against your forehead) thus putting the horns in position. Also means devil, evil and Satan.

Question: British Sign Language - Any important information about the language which could help with a literature review? What are the important things to know about BSL other than the actual signing of the language. Where can I find the history of BSL, current figures for the amount of signers in the UK, a day in the life of a BSL signer and other useful websites. Are there any current works with it in relation to computer studies and the field of Human Computer Interaction? I have already checked Wikipedia so please don't provide that as a recommendation.

Answer: http://www.rnid.org.uk/

Question: I would like to learn British Sign Language? I would really like to learn British Sign language but I have no idea how! I don't want to go to classes but I was wondering if there is a DVD or an online course I could buy? I live in London btw.

Answer: Good idea been thinking of doing the same thing, so will watch for your answers

Question: British Sign Language as various lip patterns what are they? Due to the fact that sign language is spoken using hands and non manual features, there a various lip patterns that should be used for example, pronoucation of words, how fast a speaker moves theirs lips. What are the other features.

Answer: Please consult--Lip reading for the Oral Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Person (1971); J. Jeffers, Speechreading (1971).

Question: i am qualified to CACDP level 2 in British Sign Language? I currently work as a volunteer for the Social Services department as a befriender within the Deaf community. I feel that this is beneficial to an extent, but wonder if there is anything else i could do to expand my knowledge of BSL. I dont particularly want to study to level 3 yet as i dont feel confident enough to do the course. Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Answer: The best thing that helped me is to actually have a Deaf friend who is a native BSL user. Going to signing pubs and Deaf clubs is ok, but they usually only have a night once per month when hearing people or BSL learners can visit. I found from experience (depending on the part of the country) that these clubs tend to attract the older generation who were forced to learn to speak at school and use SSE. So it's not the same as the voices off and pure BSL you need for an exam. So I had a friend who was a native BSL user and used to spend time with him. You learn so much and it's not like a formal club atmosphere, you just chat normally as friends and do friend things together. The one difficult thing is that you can't just ask someone to be your friend just so you can learn BSL, so a friend like this is difficult to find! I am very grateful to mine, because we just care for each other and it's equal give and take. A real friendship not just a BSL one :))