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A brand new
British Sign Language (BSL) logo is being launched today, at the
start of this year’s Learn to Sign Week, run by the British Deaf
Association.
The BDA’s new
logo is unlike the well-known ‘ear’ logo that is displayed to show
if a loop system for hearing aid users is available. Instead, it
has hands to show that access is available through BSL.
"We are
delighted to launch our new BSL logo that can be displayed in the
windows of shops and other public services,” says Doug Alker, the
BDA Chair. “It means that hearing people who can use BSL will be
able to advertise their skills, rather than focussing on the fact
that Deaf people cannot hear. It will also promote BSL as a language,
and hopefully encourage more people to think about learning to sign."
Find out much more about British
Sign Language>>
| We
want everyone to come into work and sign 'good morning' to colleagues.
And everyone who serves a customer to say 'thank you, have a
nice day' or 'you're welcome'. |
In Learn to Sign
Week, 3 - 9 October 2005, the BDA would like as many people as possible
to learn a few BSL signs. We are hoping you will become aware that
British Sign Language (BSL) is a visual language with its own grammar
and vocabulary and therefore different to English.
For help with
simple signs and to find out all about British Sign Language, you
can visit www.learntosign.org.uk.
You can also download the British Sign Language finger alphabet
A - Z on PDF!
British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or preferred language of
around 250,000 Deaf people in the UK. It is a language of space
and movement using the hands, body, face and head. Around 120,000
hearing people also use BSL, meaning it is used more than Welsh
or Gaelic. Find out much more about British
Sign Language>>
| In
2003, the UK Government officially recognised British Sign Language.
BSL is the first or preferred language of around 250,000 people
in the UK. |
The BDA was recognised as an official British language by the UK government
on 18 March 2003, but the BDA now wants BSL to be legalised, which
will give BSL users the legal right to use it, bringing years of language
discrimination to an end. This means that Deaf people would be able
to take part in society, equally to hearing people. Deaf people would
have full access to information and services that hearing people take
for granted, including education, health and employment. Find out
much more about British
Sign Language>>
Thanks you for
interest in the BDA Learn to Sign Week and have fun.
SIGNMatters is the magazine from the Deaf community produced and
distributed by the British Deaf Association with contributions from
throughout the Deaf community. Read about the news, culture, history,
events and services for Deaf people all over the UK and more.
For more information then please contact BDA Helpline:
textphone: 0800 6522 965
telephone: 0870 770 3300
fax: 020 7588 3527
videophone: 020 7496 9539
email: helpline@bda.org.uk
To learn British
Sign Language>>
To find out more, visit the BDA
website>>
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