International Day of Sign Languages: 7 essential signs to help break the ice with a deaf person

Some signs in the Indian Sign Language. (Image: www.insightsonindia.com/PIB)

“If there is no sign language, technology, special educator and interpreter then the learning process of deaf students would be challenging,” says Ferdinand Marshillong, a research scholar who is hard of hearing and hails from Shillong, Meghalaya.

Ferdinand lost his hearing at the age of 10 but did not understand then that he had lost his ability to hear. “It was only in Class IX that I realised that I was different from my peers. Since there was no special educator and technology, I just read the notes and copied whatever my bench-mate noted. I had always felt secluded and realised that sign language is extremely important for the deaf community,” Ferdinand says.

September 23 is observed as the International Day of Sign Languages all across the world after first being observed in the year 2018. But why is knowing about this day important, you may wonder. It's because official data indicates that around 20 per cent of the world's population lives with hearing loss. And these numbers are only going to rise as the World Health Organization estimates that around 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss by the year 2050! Hence, we must be adept in sign language to communicate with our deaf and hard-of-hearing friends. Currently, there are close to 72 million deaf and hearing people who use sign language around the world.

Sign languages are visual languages that comprise an important medium of communication for the deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities. Composed of gestures, body language, and facial expressions, sign languages have their own grammar and syntax and are deeply affected by the culture of the region they're spoken in. Hence, sign languages vary across countries and there can be multiple sign languages in a region that is known for one verbal language.

Did you know that there are more than 300 sign languages all across the world? Or that there's no single universal sign language?

Knowing the basics of Indian Sign Language can make a world of difference when it comes to engaging with individuals who are deaf because it helps facilitate communication, thereby enabling human interaction. “People do not know that I have an invisible disability i.e. I am hard of hearing. Whenever I go to the bank or meet with government officials or check-up at health centres, I have to depend on my interpreter,” recalls Ferdinand, who is the former president of Meghalaya Deaf Association and has played a pivotal role in organising and delivering sign language training to government officials, college students, teachers and even church in Meghalaya.

The first step to making conversations more accessible for deaf individuals is to learn sign language.

Hence, in line with this year’s theme — A World Where Deaf People Can Sign Anywhere — let’s learn some preliminary signs that can come in handy while engaging with a deaf person.

List of English alphabets in the Indian Sign Language

1. Hello

A warm greeting sets the tone for any interaction. In ISL, to say "hello", extend your right hand, palm facing forward, and touch your fingertips to your forehead. Then, move your hand outward, extending your fingers. This sign symbolises a friendly acknowledgment.

2. How are you?

The signs for this phrase only consist of the words 'how' and 'you'. Point to the person you're speaking with indicating 'you' and then make a thumbs-up motion, symbolising 'good'.

3. Thank You

Expressing gratitude is a universal gesture. In ISL, say "thank you" by touching your face with your right hand and moving it outward in a sweeping motion. It's a simple yet meaningful way to show appreciation.

4. Yes and No

For "yes", simply nod your head. For "no", shake your head from side to side. These gestures are understood by most deaf individuals, even if they use a different sign language system.

5. Help

In situations where you or a deaf person may need assistance, the "help" sign is crucial. With an open right hand, palm facing up, tap your chest a couple of times with your fingertips. This gesture indicates that you're offering assistance.

6. Emergency

In emergencies when immediate action is required and no one else is around to help, knowing the "emergency" sign can be lifesaving. Cross your arms in front of your chest to form an "X". This sign signifies urgency, alerting the person that immediate action or attention is needed.

7. Bathroom

Understanding basic needs is vital. To communicate the need for a bathroom break in ISL, hold your left hand, palm facing up, in front of you. Then, use your right index finger to tap your left palm a few times. This sign is intuitive and universally recognised.

While you're trying to become more bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities, it is also important to remember some deaf etiquette while communicating with deaf people:

1. Always face the person while signing. Ensure that your face is visible and the view is not blocked.

2. Use the right terminology — Avoid using terms like "deaf and dumb", "deaf and mute" or "hearing impaired". The correct term is deaf and doesn't demean the deaf community. It is also important to take notice of whether it's deaf with a capital or lowercase D. The former refers to people who are culturally deaf and use sign language and the latter refers to those with hearing loss, who may not feel a strong sense of connection with the community and may not use sign language.

3. Don't assume that all deaf people use sign language as 90 per cent of deaf people are born to hearing parents. Some also lip-read. So ensure that you're speaking slowly and clearly. Please don't shy away from communicating by writing as that can also be an effective way.

4. If there's an interpreter with the deaf person, speak directly to the deaf person and not the interpreter.

5. When in online meetings, ensure that there's a sign language interpreter to facilitate communication and that videos are on so that the deaf person can feel included in the conversation.

Remember that deaf people are visual and they communicate only using visual cues. Hence, the ground rule is to ensure that you are as expressive as you can be as that helps the deaf person to understand whether the speaker is happy, sad, or angry. Approach a deaf person with positive body language like a smile, open hands, or a handshake,” recommends Ferdinand. It might feel a little intimidating but please don't let that hold you back from communicating with a deaf person. Be creative and invent ways to communicate, but keep in mind and respect the communication style and preference of the deaf person.