British Sign Language (BSL) is a rich and expressive communication method used by a diverse community of people worldwide. Although its name suggests a close affiliation with the UK, its reach extends far beyond our borders. In this blog, we’ll explore British Sign Language’s global presence, shedding light on the countries where it’s used and appreciated.
What is BSL?
BSL is the primary sign language used by Deaf people in the United Kingdom. It’s a complete language which is distinct from spoken English. However, it’s not a manual form of English. It has its own vocabulary, grammar, syntax and structure.
BSL is a visual-gestural language, with meaning and context conveyed through hand shapes, facial expressions and body movement. Like other sign languages, BSL developed naturally within Deaf communities. The UK Government formally recognised it as an official language in 2003, following a prolonged campaign by the Deaf community.
British Sign Language’s use around the world
An estimated 151,000 adults in the UK use BSL as their first language. BSL isn’t universal. Different countries have their own sign languages. However, BSL’s influence is spread across continents, transcending borders and enriching the lives of the Deaf community worldwide. While it’s primarily associated with the UK, its use is not limited to this country alone. Some of the other countries where it’s used or understood include:
- Australia – Although Australia has its own sign language, Australian Sign Language (Auslan), it’s derived from the same sign language family (BANZSL) as BSL, so there are many similarities between the two. The historical ties between the UK and Australia and the large number of British expats living there have also influenced its adoption down under.
- New Zealand – New Zealand uses its own sign language, NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language), as the primary means of communication for the Deaf community. NZSL also has its origins in BANSZL, and due to the same historical reasons and commonalities as Australia, BSL is used and understood to some extent in New Zealand.
- Ireland – Although the Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the preferred language for the Deaf community in Ireland, BSL is not uncommon. ISL also has its origins in BANZSL, so again, it shares many similarities with BSL.
- South Africa – South African Sign Language (SASL) is also derived from BANZSL. The Deaf community there uses some BSL alongside SASL.
How to use BSL within your organisation
Recognising BSL’s importance and taking steps to incorporate it into your operations will help you create a more inclusive, accessible and socially responsible environment. The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses and public sector organisations to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, can access their services and facilities. Providing BSL support is one way to comply with this legislation. BSL-trained staff can help ensure your services are accessible to Deaf customers and employees and promote equal opportunities.
Incorporating BSL in the workplace demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, which can improve your reputation and help you attract a more diverse workforce. BSL interpretation can also help facilitate more effective communication between Deaf and hearing individuals in meetings, presentations or customer service interactions.
So, if you provide BSL interpretation, it’s crucial to utilise a skilled interpreter who’s well-versed in the nuances of various BSL dialects and other sign language systems. This can help bridge communication gaps and facilitate better interaction with Deaf audiences. Additionally, it’s essential to consider and offer alternative forms of communication for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. And Deaf awareness training can make your team more aware of the different types of Deafness, the communication barriers, and how they can develop and improve their communication skills.
At Sign Solutions, we can help you with this. We provide BSL interpreting and translation services, plus expert consultancy, to help ensure your organisation is as accessible as possible, to attract and serve Deaf customers and offer equal opportunities for Deaf job applicants. All the skilled BSL interpreters we work with are DBS-checked and NRCPD-registered and can provide a high-quality service to Deaf people across the UK. We can also provide a range of accredited communications professionals for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing users.
To find out more and for expert advice on which type of communication support will meet your needs, give us a call on 0843 178 0773, email bookings@signsolutions.uk.com or contact us via a BSL video interpreter.
