Sign
language
What it is and how
you can learn it
British Sign Language
We’re RNID, the charity working
to create a world where deafness
or hearing loss do not limit or
determine opportunity, and where
people value their hearing.
This leaflet is for you if you’re thinking about learning
British Sign Language (BSL).
You should read this leaflet if you want to know:
• how to learn BSL
• how people who are deaf communicate
• more about sign language in different countries and regional
variations in BSL.
We also include BSL signs that are useful in everyday life, and the
fingerspelling alphabet.
www.rnid.org.uk
How should I learn BSL?
It is impossible to learn to sign from a leaflet, a book, video or
CD-ROM. If you would like to learn BSL, the best way is to take
a course taught by a qualified sign language teacher.
We can arrange for an experienced trainer to come to where you
work and teach an introductory Start to Sign course. Contact our
Information Line (see back page) about this and for details
of BSL courses in your area.
The photographs in this
leaflet will introduce you
to BSL. They are taken
from our Start to sign!
book. Buying the book
gives you free access
to see the moving signs
online. You can aid
your learning – and
test yourself with our
interactive quizzes.
See page 19 for
more information.
3
British Sign Language
British Sign Language
What is BSL?
Lip patterns
In the UK, people who are deaf use various methods of
communication including speech and lip reading, but BSL is the
most widely used method of signed communication. Some people
use Sign Supported English (SSE), which is not a language in its
own right, but more a kind of English with signs.
Lip patterns are a very important part of BSL. The signs for ‘uncle’,
‘aunt’, ‘nephew’ and ‘niece’ illustrate this. The handshape and
movement are the same for all signs, but the lip pattern is different.
It’s difficult to say how many people in the UK use BSL as their
first or preferred language. Estimates vary from 50,000 to 70,000.
What kind of language is BSL?
BSL evolved naturally, as all languages do. It uses both manual
and non-manual components – handshapes and movements, facial
expression, and shoulder movement.
BSL is structured in a completely different way to English. In BSL
you start with the main subject or topic. After that, you refer to
something about the topic.
Uncle
Aunt
Nephew
Niece
For example:
English – ‘What is your name?’
Name
4
BSL – ‘Name – what?’
What
5
British Sign Language
British Sign Language
Is sign language the same around the world?
Fingerspelling alphabet
No, sign languages are as varied as spoken languages. Different
countries have their own unique sign language, but some sign
languages do have a similar structure. BSL is not universal – it is
only used in the UK.
In Northern Ireland, people who are deaf prefer to use Irish Sign
Language (ISL) as well as BSL.
a
b
c
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Is BSL the same across the country?
No, there are regional variations in sign language just as there are
in spoken languages. In different parts of the country, signs will have
different meanings, or there will be different signs for one word. For
example, there are 10 to 12 variations for the word ‘holiday’.
What is fingerspelling?
Fingerspelling is the BSL alphabet. Certain words – usually
names of people and places – are spelled out on fingers.
However, fingerspelling alone is not sign language.
See opposite for the fingerspelling alphabet.
We have cards, bookmarks and posters of the fingerspelling
alphabet (sometimes called the manual alphabet). We also have
cards of the Welsh, Irish and deafblind fingerspelling alphabets.
Contact the Information Line (see back cover) for copies.
6
Q R S
T
U
V W X
Y
Z
7
British Sign Language
British Sign Language
Greetings
Hello
Greetings
Please
How are you?
Questions
Thank you
Sorry
8
Goodbye
Question
Ask (directional verb)
Who
What
9
British Sign Language
British Sign Language
Questions
Feelings
Where
When
Good
Bad
Why/Because
How
Happy
Sad
Feelings
Like
10
Family
Dislike
Family
Husband/Wife
11
British Sign Language
British Sign Language
Family
Food and drink
Mother
Father
Biscuit
Chips
Brother
Sister
Tea
Coffee
Fruit
Water
Wine
Food and drink
Sandwich
12
13
British Sign Language
Time
British Sign Language
Time
Morning
Tomorrow
Night
Yesterday
Work
Today
14
Work
Office
15
British Sign Language
British sign language
Work
Want to know more?
Are you affected by hearing loss or tinnitus?
Joining RNID is a great way to keep
updated on developments, new products
that can help, details of accessible
entertainment in your region, latest
information and advice, and much more.
You’ll also be able to share your experiences
of hearing loss with other members.
Textphone
Telephone
As a member we’ll update you six times a
year, through our award-winning membership
magazine, One in Seven.
onein
seven
issue 75
FeBRuARY/MARCH 2010
plus
going green with
eco-friendly products
supporting our
loop campaign
the rise of deaf
actresses
sing it
loud
Deaf opera singer Janine Roebuck
*75_cover3.indd 1
21/01/2010 18:31
If you’re retired, membership costs just
£15 a year.
How to join
Complete the form on reverse and send
to our Freepost address.
Alternatively:
Email
• visit www.rnid.org.uk/leafletjoin or
• call 0845 634 0679 (tel/textphone) or
• email membership@rnid.org.uk
Contact us for more information:
Membership Team
RNID
19-23 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8SL
Tel/textphone 0845 6340679
membership@rnid.org.uk
www.rnid.org.uk/leafletjoin
Computer
16
10MRL002
17
British Sign Language
Yes, I want to join RNID
Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss) __________ First name _____________________
Where can I get further information?
Surname ______________________________________________________
You might find some of our other factsheets or leaflets useful:
Address _ _____________________________________________________
• Fingerspelling alphabet (bookmark, card or poster)
______________________________________________________________
• Irish fingerspelling alphabet (card)
Postcode _ ____________________ Email __________________________
• Welsh fingerspelling alphabet (card)
Telephone _____________________ Textphone ______________________
• Deafblind fingerspelling alphabet (card)
Please accept my membership payment: (tick relevant boxes)
£22 standard rate £15 if you are retired, unwaged
or a full-time student
In addition, I would like to make a donation of £
• Communication support services (leaflet)
• Training as a British Sign Language/English interpreter (factsheet)
Payment method:
I enclose a cheque/PO made payable to RNID (delete as appropriate)
I prefer to pay by credit card/debit card/CharityCard (delete as appropriate)
Card number (Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/CharityCard)
Start date:
• Communication tips (card)
A double-sided card with tips on one side if you’re deaf or
hard of hearing, and tips on the other side if you’re hearing
and speaking to someone who’s deaf.
/
Issue number (if present):
Expiry date:
/
Security number:
(last 3 digits on signature strip)
Signature:
Please return this form to:
RNID, FREEPOST LON13186, London EC1B 1AL
Please tick here if you would like to receive emails from us including
yourmembership email every two months.
Occasionally, we may want to let you know about the work we are doing. If you
would prefer not to be contacted in this way, please tick this box.
• Working with a British Sign Language/English interpreter (factsheet)
Contact our Information Line (see back page) for copies of these.
And ask us if you’d like any of our factsheets and leaflets on audio
cassette, in Braille or in large print.
Start to sign! is our British Sign Language (BSL) support book for
beginners – with FREE online access to BSL video clips. Now in its
fourth edition, the book is bigger and better, with brand new colour
photographs of more than 800 signs. Plus there’s lots of information
about the development, structure and grammar of BSL.
Buy the book and you’ll be able to watch the moving signs – FREE. You
can aid your learning – and test yourself with our interactive quizzes.
To order Start to sign!, please contact RNID Products on
01733 361199 (telephone), 01733 238020 (textphone), email
solutions@rnid.org.uk or shop online at
www.rnid.org.uk/buystarttosign
Occasionally, we will allow other organisations to contact you, but if you would
prefer not to be contacted, please tick this box.
18
19
British sign language
We’re RNID, the charity
working to create a world
where deafness or hearing
loss do not limit or determine
opportunity, and where
people value their hearing.­
There are a number of ways
to support us. To find out more:
Go to
www.rnid.org.uk
Information line
Telephone0808 808 0123
Textphone0808 808 9000
SMS
0780 0000 360
(costs vary depending on your network)
Or write to us
informationline@rnid.org.uk
19-23 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8SL
Fax 020 7296 8199
3488/0310 Photography Tim Kavanagh
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
Registered Address 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Registered charity No. 207720.A company limited by guarantee
in England and Wales No. 454169.