What is BSL?
‘BSL’ stands for British Sign Language, BSL is a language in its own right, with its own grammar, vocabulary and syntax. It is used by approximately 151,000 people across the UK. It is the natural language of deaf people and BSL is Britain’s fourth indigenous language. If fact, many hearing people also use BSL, making it more commonly used than Welsh or Gaelic.
Deaf people around the world communicate using sign language in their everyday lives. Sign Language is a visual language that uses a system of manual, facial and body movements as the means of communication. Sign Language is not a universal language, and different sign languages are used in different countries, just as there are different spoken languages used in different countries around the world.
Having access to sign language is central to any Deaf person, child or adult for their cognitive, social, emotional and linguistic growth. Language and culture are inter-related. Deaf culture is deeply rooted in sign language.
