BSL – The UK’s Newest Official Language
According to the British Deaf Association, it is estimated about 9 million people in the UK are Deaf or hard of hearing. Let me say that again, about 9 million people in the UK are Deaf or hard of hearing. That’s around 14% of the population.
Last winter Strictly Come Dancing returned to our screens and for many it is essential Saturday night viewing. One of the celebrities to join this series was Rose Ayling-Ellis. Already a pioneering actor in Eastenders, Rose was the first deaf celebrity contestant who went on to become the winner. One of the most mesmerising moments of the show was the dance Rose and her partner Giovanni Pernice performed to Symphony by Clean Bandit. During the performance there was a moment when the music stopped but the dancing continued and for a short moment, the audience got to experience life without sound. This moment later went on to win the Must-See Moment at the Baftas, as voted for by the public. It clearly struck a chord for many; however, for the celebrities and many others, it was essential that the spotlight on this important subject was not short-lived.
Soon after the Strictly Come Dancing final, the Oscars brought another celebration for the Deaf community with the win for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay for CODA. CODA, (Children of Deaf Adults), explores the difficulties that hearing children can face being communicators for their deaf parents. Although the film used American Sign Language, the fact that an interpreter accompanied them throughout the award ceremonies and press tour, helped people become comfortable with them signing on screen.
The outcome of these two headline-grabbing accomplishments is that people are becoming more aware and accepting of the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. We watched as they were congratulated by an audience who were no longer clapping and cheering but instead raising their hands in the air, gesturing well done. We also began seeing more people saying thank you by putting their hand to their mouths and moving it away. These may be small steps for the hearing but by having deaf interpreters as standard on any medium that has an audience, we will continue to learn and continue to adapt.
We are moving in the right direction. British Sign Language became an official minority language in the UK, in 2003 (BSL) but on Thursday 28 April the BSL Act 2022 received Royal Assent to become law. The main purposes of BSL ACT 2022 include:
- Recognising BSL as a language for England, Wales, and Scotland
- Requiring the Secretary of State to report on the promotion and facilitation of the use of BSL across Government departments
- Issuing guidance to Government departments and public bodies (such as the NHS and local councils), about how they can meet the needs of BSL signers for whom BSL is their first or preferred language.
(RNID)
Now that this Act has become law it’s hoped that there will be better access to BSL interpreters. In turn, there will be a demand for more qualified BSL interpreters, and this is where Aqua Interpreting Group is on hand to assist. If you require a qualified BSL interpreter or are one, then please get in touch to discuss how we can assist.
