British Sign Language
Like the other sign languages of deaf communities around the world, BSL (British Sign Language) is a natural language, not invented by anyone, with the first descriptions of BSL going back to the 16th century. BSL is unrelated to English and has its own vocabulary and grammar.
While spoken languages use movements of the mouth, tongue and teeth, sign languages use movements of both hands, the upper body and face. And of course, spoken languages are primarily received through audition, while sign languages are primarily received through vision. Recognising these modality differences and their impact on language structure has caused a revolution in linguistics, psycholinguistics and our understanding of the neurobiology of language.
Sentences
Syntax is the term for the way that words or signs are put together to create meaningful sentences and phrases. Before we can address the syntax of BSL sentences we need to consider the idea of ‘proforms’, and how and why BSL uses them.
Space and Verbs
Both syntactic and topographical spaces are use in BSL. Syntactic space is created within the language; enabling reference to two or more ideas/things. Topographic space recreates a map of the real world.
The journey to official recognition for BSL has been a significant one. Scotland led the way by legally recognising it as an official language in 2015, followed by the entire UK in 2022. Prior to this, BSL was acknowledged as a distinct language in 2003. An estimated 151,000 individuals in the UK use BSL, with 87,000 of them being deaf. For many within the Deaf community, BSL is not just a mode of communication but also a fundamental aspect of their culture and identity.
Orientation
The direction in which the palm is facing and the orientation of the hand changes the meaning of a sign.
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions, head movements, and body shifts convey adverbial and adjectival information, as well as grammatical markers like questions, negation, and topic/comment structure.
Mouth Patterns
Mouth patterns, or mouthing, involve the shapes and movements of the mouth that are synchronous with signs.
Formal courses taught by qualified deaf tutors are the recommended path for learning BSL, as opposed to relying solely on books or videos. Numerous examination boards offer accredited BSL qualifications for those looking to deepen their understanding.
Becoming a professional BSL/English interpreter requires specialised training and certification, often at the postgraduate level. Interpreters register with regulatory bodies such as the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD). Communication support workers, who play a vital role in assisting deaf students and employees, also undergo training in BSL to effectively fulfil their duties.
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