Millions of people around the world use sign language as their primary means of communication...
International Day of Sign Languages is an annual event that encourages the linguistic and cultural diversity of deaf communities around the world. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in the lives of deaf communities and the need to protect them as an essential part of human diversity.
They are complex visual-gestural communication systems with their own grammar and syntax. This day promotes the linguistic rights of deaf people and aims to increase awareness, inclusion and acceptance of deaf people in society. Read on to know more about the day
The International Day of Sign Languages will be celebrated globally on Saturday, September 23.
The International Day of Sign Languages provides a unique opportunity to support and preserve the cultural diversity and linguistic uniqueness of all sign language users, including Deaf people. Together, deaf communities, governments and civil society groups continue to create, promote and recognize national sign languages as an integral part of the dynamic and diverse linguistic landscapes of their respective nations.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are over 70 million deaf people in the world. More than 80% of them live in underdeveloped countries. They collectively use more than 300 different sign languages. In order to raise public awareness of the value of sign languages in the full realization of the human rights of deaf people, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.