language What it is and how you can learn it

Transcription

1 Sign language What it is and how you can learn it

2 We re RNID, the charity working to create a world where deafness or hearing loss do not limit or determine opportunity, and where people value their hearing. This leaflet is for you if you re thinking about learning (BSL). You should read this leaflet if you want to know: how to learn BSL how people who are deaf communicate more about sign language in different countries and regional variations in BSL. We also include BSL signs that are useful in everyday life, and the fingerspelling alphabet. How should I learn BSL? It is impossible to learn to sign from a leaflet, a book, video or CD-ROM. If you would like to learn BSL, the best way is to take a course taught by a qualified sign language teacher. We can arrange for an experienced trainer to come to where you work and teach an introductory Start to Sign course. Contact our Information Line (see back page) about this and for details of BSL courses in your area. The photographs in this leaflet will introduce you to BSL. They are taken from our Start to sign! book. Buying the book gives you free access to see the moving signs online. You can aid your learning and test yourself with our interactive quizzes. See page 19 for more information. 3

3 What is BSL? In the UK, people who are deaf use various methods of communication including speech and lip reading, but BSL is the most widely used method of signed communication. Some people use Sign Supported English (SSE), which is not a language in its own right, but more a kind of English with signs. It s difficult to say how many people in the UK use BSL as their first or preferred language. Estimates vary from 50,000 to 70,000. Lip patterns Lip patterns are a very important part of BSL. The signs for uncle, aunt, nephew and niece illustrate this. The handshape and movement are the same for all signs, but the lip pattern is different. What kind of language is BSL? BSL evolved naturally, as all languages do. It uses both manual and non-manual components handshapes and movements, facial expression, and shoulder movement. BSL is structured in a completely different way to English. In BSL you start with the main subject or topic. After that, you refer to something about the topic. For example: English What is your name? BSL Name what? Uncle Aunt Nephew Niece Name What 4 5

4 Is sign language the same around the world? No, sign languages are as varied as spoken languages. Different countries have their own unique sign language, but some sign languages do have a similar structure. BSL is not universal it is only used in the UK. In Northern Ireland, people who are deaf prefer to use Irish Sign Language (ISL) as well as BSL. Is BSL the same across the country? No, there are regional variations in sign language just as there are in spoken languages. In different parts of the country, signs will have different meanings, or there will be different signs for one word. For example, there are 10 to 12 variations for the word holiday. Fingerspelling alphabet a b c D E F G H What is fingerspelling? Fingerspelling is the BSL alphabet. Certain words usually names of people and places are spelled out on fingers. However, fingerspelling alone is not sign language. See opposite for the fingerspelling alphabet. We have cards, bookmarks and posters of the fingerspelling alphabet (sometimes called the manual alphabet). We also have cards of the Welsh, Irish and deafblind fingerspelling alphabets. Contact the Information Line (see back cover) for copies. I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 6 7

5 Greetings Greetings Hello Please How are you? Questions Thank you Question Ask (directional verb) Sorry Goodbye Who What 8 9

6 Questions Feelings Where When Good Bad Why/Because How Happy Sad Feelings Family Like Dislike Family Husband/Wife 10 11

7 Family Food and drink Mother Father Biscuit Chips Brother Sister Tea Coffee Food and drink Sandwich Fruit Water Wine 12 13

8 Time Time Morning Tomorrow Night Yesterday Work Today Work Office 14 15

9 British sign language issue 75 FeBRuARY/MARCH 2010 Work Want to know more? Are you affected by hearing loss or tinnitus? Joining RNID is a great way to keep updated on developments, new products that can help, details of accessible entertainment in your region, latest information and advice, and much more. You ll also be able to share your experiences of hearing loss with other members. onei n seven plus going green with eco-friendly products supporting our loop campaign the rise of deaf actresses sing it loud Deaf opera singer Janine Roebuck Textphone Telephone As a member we ll update you six times a year, through our award-winning membership magazine, One in Seven. If you re retired, membership costs just 15 a year. Computer How to join Complete the form on reverse and send to our Freepost address. Alternatively: visit or call (tel/textphone) or membership@rnid.org.uk Contact us for more information: Membership Team RNID Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8SL Tel/textphone membership@rnid.org.uk 10MRL

10 Yes, I want to join RNID Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss) First name Surname Address Postcode Telephone Textphone Please accept my membership payment: (tick relevant boxes) standard rate 15 if you are retired, unwaged or a full-time student In addition, I would like to make a donation of Payment method: I enclose a cheque/po made payable to RNID (delete as appropriate) I prefer to pay by credit card/debit card/charitycard (delete as appropriate) Card number (Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/CharityCard) Start date: / Expiry date: / Issue number (if present): Signature: Security number: Please return this form to: RNID, FREEPOST LON13186, London EC1B 1AL (last 3 digits on signature strip) Please tick here if you would like to receive s from us including yourmembership every two months. Occasionally, we may want to let you know about the work we are doing. If you would prefer not to be contacted in this way, please tick this box. Occasionally, we will allow other organisations to contact you, but if you would prefer not to be contacted, please tick this box. Where can I get further information? You might find some of our other factsheets or leaflets useful: Fingerspelling alphabet (bookmark, card or poster) Irish fingerspelling alphabet (card) Welsh fingerspelling alphabet (card) Deafblind fingerspelling alphabet (card) Communication tips (card) A double-sided card with tips on one side if you re deaf or hard of hearing, and tips on the other side if you re hearing and speaking to someone who s deaf. Communication support services (leaflet) Training as a /English interpreter (factsheet) Working with a /English interpreter (factsheet) Contact our Information Line (see back page) for copies of these. And ask us if you d like any of our factsheets and leaflets on audio cassette, in Braille or in large print. Start to sign! is our (BSL) support book for beginners with FREE online access to BSL video clips. Now in its fourth edition, the book is bigger and better, with brand new colour photographs of more than 800 signs. Plus there s lots of information about the development, structure and grammar of BSL. Buy the book and you ll be able to watch the moving signs FREE. You can aid your learning and test yourself with our interactive quizzes. To order Start to sign!, please contact RNID Products on (telephone), (textphone), solutions@rnid.org.uk or shop online at 19

11 British sign language We re RNID, the charity working to create a world where deafness or hearing loss do not limit or determine opportunity, and where people value their hearing. There are a number of ways to support us. To find out more: Go to Information line Telephone Textphone SMS (costs vary depending on your network) Or write to us informationline@rnid.org.uk Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8SL Fax /0310 Photography Tim Kavanagh The Royal National Institute for Deaf People. Registered Address Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL Registered charity No A company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No