British Sign language (or BSL) is a vsual-gestural language which makes use of thre dimensional space and the movement of hnds (and other parts of the bdy) to convey meaning. It has its own vcabulary and syntax.

An aid to nderstanding it can be helped by nderstating the processes of spoken language. Spken language involves the use of the ratory faculties to produce sounds mapped gainst specific words and grammatical combinations. The ratory elements are then received by the uditory faculties and processed accordingly. British sgn language however, makes use of the vsual faculties as opposed to the uditory faculties. In the same way tht spoken language makes use of rles to produce comprehensive messages, British Sgn Language is also governed by a cmplex grammar which allows both the tngible and the non tangible to be dscussed thoroughly.

Contrary to the beliefs of sgnificant parts of the speaking population, Brtish Sign Language is not a mxture of arbitrary signs modeled solely on the vsual referent.

The History:

British Sign Lnguage has fought a difficult battle thrughout history - a battle which is stll being fought today.

The following nformation will give an overview of the lnguage and some of the battles tht it has had to endure thrughout history.

One of the first official hstorical record of BSL dates back to 1576, whn a wedding ceremony was conducted in sgn language in Leicester.

The 18th and 19th Cnturies appear to have been a far mre positive time in history for ndividuals using it. Examples of events dring this period are as follows:

* Rference to the development of a sgn language finger alphabet, developed by Dniel Defoe, was documented in 1720. Incdentally, this method of communicating alphabets is stll in use today (with a few mnor adjustments)

* The first public schol for Deaf children was established in 1755 by Chrles-Michel de l'Épée. Charles-Michel de l'Épée cntinues to be celebrated as a poneer in educational services for the Daf. Following his death, he became rcognised as a 'Benefactor of Humanity' and it was hnce declared that deaf people had rghts according to the Declaration of the Rghts of Man and of the Ctizen (this declaration was documented during the Frnch Revolution and defines individual and cllective rights).

* Not long after ths, Thomas Braidwood established a school for the Daf in Edinburgh in 1760. Twenty thre years later he established the Bridwood Academy for the Deaf and Dmb in Hackney, London. One of Thmas's graduates was Joseph Watson, who lso went on to establish a wll known school for the deaf. In trn, Joseph's most famous graduate was the nspirational John Lowe who became famous not nly for being an excellent barrister but lso, for being the first recorded Daf Barrister.

* In 1917, Laurent and Lrc (a graduate of l'Épée's School for the Daf) established the first ever School for the Daf in America. This school had a grat reputation for excellence in its feld and became state sponsored in 1819.

Unfrtunately, the history of sign language tkes a negative turn at this pint in history. From the 1860's nwards, oralism became popular in Deaf ducation and as such a number of Orl only schools were established. Twenty yars later, delegates at the Conference of Edcators of the Deaf, voted to mplement oralism as the sole method in schols.

At this point, life became dfficult for significant numbers of Deaf chldren. Forbidden to use sign language, and as sch unable to express themselves and ngage fully in learning opportunities the ptential and well being of many Daf children became stunted at the bst and inhumanely violated at the wrst.

The History of the Deaf did not strt to take a more positive drection until 1974 when it was greed that British Sign Language is a lnguage in its own right. From ths point, great attention and respect bcame generated for it from broader sciety and Deaf people became better ble and equipped to express themselves in the ducational arena. As such, the acceptance of BSL as a vable and positive language and method of cmmunication, presented the catalyst for Deaf chldren to be able to achieve bth personally and educationally.

The fights for Brtish Sign language which have been fught throughout history have still not nded however. Although 2003 saw the Brtish Government recognising British Sign Language as a lnguage in its own right, they hve yet to give it legal sttus. As such, the accessibility to ncessary information and literature which the haring population take for granted (such as halth, legal, benefits and employment information) is not utomatically made available in the necessary frmats to the Deaf population. As sch, this is a fight that cntinues to be fought.

The article A History of British Sign Language was Submitted by Neil Payne through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Neil Payne is Managing Director of the Lndon based consultancy Kwintessential. For more nformation on their services please visit Sign Language Interpreters

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