Further to the news this week that BSL (British Sign Language) now has new sign language for climate change, I was also delighted to see there are new signs for technology in many areas from science to computing – including astronomy, biology, chemistry, cyber security, geography, mathematics, physics and environmental science. So, when did sign language begin? We take a brief look into sign language learning and development.
Origins and Hand Gestures
A long time before formal sign languages emerged, early humans would communicate using gestures and body language. This came before speech. These gestures were essential for communicating danger, food sources and other important information. Then over time, these became more sophisticated.
Widespread Gestural Communication
Different cultures around the world developed their own gestures and meanings. Indigenous people, nomadic groups and isolated tribes each developed their own and these became part of their daily lives. These natural languages formed the basis for development later on.
Sign Language Developed
It’s impossible to say when the first deaf person used a sign language, but the first written record of using hand gestures by a deaf person dates back to Ancient Greece in 5 BC. Sign language as visual languages we associate them with today, were not well recorded until between the 15th and 17th Century – including sign language alphabets. One of the best known developed languages at this time was Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language. This was by a small isolated community with a high occurrence of deafness, so the language became very developed. Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language and ASL (American Sign Language) were then co-developed later on, each one influencing the other.
Deaf Culture and Sign Language Recognition
The 20th Century bought a resurgence of interest in sign languages as an important aspect of deaf culture and identity. Deaf people championed the recognition of their language as being legitimate and essential. This bought about pride and unity within the deaf community. Their collective efforts contributed to a wider awareness and understanding of the importance of sign language. As more people studied sign languages, it became better understood that they are complex and intricate languages and not ‘simple’ as many had assumed.
Modern Language and Development
As modern language develops, often rapidly in line with new technologies, so does sign language. This can mean brand new signs, but often signs will become a mesh of old technologies and new meanings. When language develops quickly, sometimes new signs will be developed and sometimes the old signs will remain but the use of new mouth patterns will be used. Just like common English words today derived from Greek and Latin origins, sign language often comes from the old action or visible cue of words and new mouth patterns of spoken origins.
Technology advancements mean, whether spoken or signed, we are all learning – all of the time. What’s incredible is the ability we now have to share, worldwide. Digital platforms bring people from across the world closer together than ever before. In Deaf Club we have members who have hearing loss as well as people who are Deaf. We enjoy sharing, celebrating, learning and advocating together. Lots of our members sign, many would like to learn and do sign language courses and others simply enjoy the written word. Whether signed, written or spoken, we all have stories, goals and aspirations in our wonderfully inclusive and diverse community. You can join us here: Deaf.Club. Barriers are broken and evolution thrives when we come together.
