Deaf people make up 11 million people in the UK, with an estimated 150,000 of those using British Sign Language (BSL).
As its name suggests, BSL is the fourth most commonly used language in the UK. There are around 151,000 BSL users in the UK, and of these about 87,000 users are Deaf. It is also used by the families and relatives of Deaf people, sign language interpreters and BSL learners.
While many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people rely on BSL to communicate, many hearing people can benefit from learning it too. Check out our
online deaf awareness training courses for more information on how you can make a start and read on to discover how widely signed languages are used beyond the UK.
Does sign language differ between countries?
There are around 300 different sign languages that are used all over the world, and all vary from nation to nation. Along with
BSL, there are several sign languages used by English-speaking countries, including the US (ASL), Australia (Auslan) and New Zealand (NZSL.)
Some UK citizens also use Sign Supported English (SSE) particularly Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who may have become deaf post-lingually (they could speak before becoming deaf) and Makaton to support those who have additional learning needs.
Much like regional accents and lexical choice in spoken language, BSL also has regional variations. Some signs can differ between cities or regions and provide an identifier of where someone is from or which school they attended. It is a common element of the Deaf community to spot where someone went to school by some of the specific signs used at that school.
Five benefits of learning BSL as a hearing person
Anyone can learn and use British Sign Language, in fact, it’s encouraged. The more people who learn and utilise BSL within their communities, the further we move towards a more inclusive society. You’ll also find it benefits you for several reasons outside of being able to better communicate with more people, including:
Improves your communication
Learning more than one language, whether it’s spoken or signed, is a huge benefit for your communication skills. You’ll have the opportunity to make friends and meet new people from a different community.
Makes you a more desirable job candidate
Many businesses are working on becoming more accessible, both to customers and employees. Having a
good knowledge of BSL and being able to communicate with a Deaf person will enhance your profile and make you a more desirable team member. It’ll also give you the opportunity to educate other hearing people, and perhaps even your own employer, of Deaf Gain and the benefits a Deaf employee can bring to a business.
Connects you with a wider group of people
The Deaf community has so much to offer, which is often overlooked due to the lack of proper communication. Breaking down these barriers and taking time to learn BSL will open you up to a whole new community.
Breaks down barriers & prejudices
Although there are around 11 million people with some form of hearing loss in the UK, Deaf people still face daily challenges and prejudices. With more people learning BSL, we are working towards a better society that’s more accepting and inclusive of everyone.
Engages all your senses
British Sign Language makes your brain work harder but the rewards are amazing. You’ll become a more active listener, even when communicating with someone who isn’t Deaf. You’ll begin to pay closer attention to facial expressions and body language which in turn will improve your overall communication skills.
BSL services from Sign Solutions
Sign Solutions provide
BSL interpreting and translation services, in-person or online, plus expert consultancy, to help ensure your organisation is as accessible as possible. All the qualified BSL interpreters we work with are DBS-checked and NRCPD registered and provide a high-quality service to Deaf people across the UK.
Sign Solutions can also provide a range of accredited communication professionals for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing users in various sectors, from education and community to legal and healthcare.
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.
