SIGN languages provide a means of communication among people without relying on spoken linguistic identity. Such movements are essential for all deaf people and other sign language users. These hand gestures can effectively express the emotions of users, facilitating communication within society.
The International Day of Sign Languages is a unique opportunity to support and protect the use of these gestures among people of different races and ethnicities, who use a variety of dialects, linguistic identities, and cultural expressions. In this way, the world will once again emphasize the unity created by sign languages. World leaders and government officials are encouraged to sign this year’s theme, “Sign up for Sign Language Rights,” in their national sign languages to mark this significant day for sign language users in 2024.
In fact, sign languages remain in use among people who may lack fluency in spoken or internationally used languages. That can even be seen in international meetings and conferences attended by diverse groups of delegates. Sometimes, even when delegates speak the same international language, differences in pronunciation may hinder communication, and sign languages become valuable for all participants.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in December 2006, we are reminded of the importance of striving for better implementation of the CRPD at the national level through the linguistic human rights of deaf people. Sign up for sign language rights by collaborating with local and national associations to achieve concrete goals for deaf communities today.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide, and over 80 per cent of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages, affirming that sign languages are equal in status to spoken languages. It also obligates states to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the Deaf community.
The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in realizing the full human rights of deaf people. Everyone, whether deaf or not, should learn sign languages to communicate when needed while preserving these valuable forms of expression for long-term existence.
