British Sign Language: More Than Just Signs

British Sign Language: More Than Just Signs

British Sign Language (BSL) is a rich and expressive language used by thousands of people across the UK. But how much do you know about it?

BSL is a language in its own right

BSL isn’t simply spoken English communicated through hand signs. It has its own vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure and was officially recognised by the UK Government as a language in its own right in 2003. In 2022, the British Sign Language Act gave BSL legal recognition as a language of England, Scotland and Wales.

Communication in BSL also goes far beyond the hands. Facial expressions, body movements and other visual cues all play an important role in communicating meaning.

BSL has centuries of history

BSL has developed through Deaf communities over hundreds of years. Records show Deaf people signing in Britain as early as the 16th century, with BSL becoming increasingly established as Deaf communities and schools grew during the 18th and 19th centuries.

It is a complete language capable of communicating everything from everyday conversation to complex ideas, experiences and emotions.

Around 150,000 people use BSL

Government information accompanying the British Sign Language Act estimates that there are around 150,000 BSL signers in the UK, with BSL being the primary form of communication for nearly 90,000 people.

However, just like spoken English, BSL isn’t exactly the same everywhere.

Did you know BSL has regional dialects?

Different signs can be used depending on where someone lives or where they learnt BSL.

Research from University College London (UCL) has found significant regional variation in BSL, with regional dialects developing historically as Deaf communities formed around different schools and areas of the country.

So, two people from different parts of Britain may use different signs for the same thing and both can be correct!

BSL in education

BSL is also gaining greater recognition within education. Ofqual has now established the rules and requirements for a GCSE in British Sign Language in England, marking an important step towards giving more young people the opportunity to formally study the language.

For Deaf pupils and staff who use BSL, access to communication within the school environment can make an enormous difference to inclusion and participation.

Supporting Deaf staff and pupils through BSL Counselling

Communication becomes particularly important when someone needs emotional or mental wellbeing support.

For a Deaf member of staff or pupil who communicates using BSL, having to rely on written English or communicate through someone else can create an additional barrier when discussing personal thoughts, feelings and experiences.

That’s why Schools Advisory Service provides access to BSL Counselling for both school staff and pupils, offering confidential counselling directly in British Sign Language.

The service helps remove communication barriers and creates a supportive space where Deaf staff and pupils can express themselves and access counselling in the language they are most comfortable using.

Find out more about BSL Counselling and the wellbeing support available through Schools Advisory Service.

Sources

• GOV.UK, The British Sign Language (BSL) Report 2022

• British Sign Language Act 2022, legislation.gov.uk

• UCL Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre, History of British Sign Language and Sign Language Facts

• Ofqual, GCSE (9 to 1)