In today’s interconnected world, we’re often told ‘communication is key’. Like a lot of others, when I think of this phrase, my mind immediately jumps to spoken languages. But there’s a whole community of individuals that communicate differently.
Prior to working at City Lit, I had had very little interactions with anyone in the Deaf community. Learning sign language was not really on my radar. This changed when I took my first British Sign Language (BSL) introductory class here. Since then, my eyes have opened to the many personal and professional benefits the language has to offer.
In this blogpost, I’ll explore 6 reasons why it’s important to learn BSL as a hearing person, even if you don’t know anyone who is Deaf.
Better communication skills
Learning BSL, even if it’s just the basic signs, can significantly enhance your communication skills. BSL is not just a signed version of written or spoken English. Its vocabulary and syntax are different. Learning the language allows you to open up conversations with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in their own language.
Sign language gives you the tools to start breaking down communication barriers. You can build relationships with others that you previously may not have met. Best of all, it feels great to know you’re learning something that contributes to society being a more inclusive place.
On a personal level, it’s been a real joy to get to know some of my Deaf colleagues a little better, having started to pick up some of the language.
It's a growing language
Now is a great time to start learning BSL. The 2022 BSL Act means that it is now recognised as a language of England, Wales and Scotland. England plan to roll the language out as a GCSE in the coming years.
And there’s good reason for this. According to the British Deaf Association, there are 87,000 Deaf individuals in the UK, but over half of the population aged 55 or more have hearing loss. The RNID estimates that there will be around 14.2 million adults with hearing loss by 2035 in the UK.
A growth in the number of BSL users is a great way to overcome this.
Learn more about Deaf community and culture
Deaf culture, community and history is so rich and fascinating. There are different Deaf communities all over the world, each with their own set of norms, traditions and values.
Engaging with groups through BSL allows you to appreciate unique perspectives and experiences which we, as hearing people, often overlook. You gain a greater awareness of the challenges faced by Deaf individuals and how you can support them.
City Lit’s Deaf Day is a fantastic example of celebrating Deaf culture. Thousands of people from all over the UK head to Covent Garden every year. It’s a chance for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and hearing individuals to gain more information about the Deaf community. There are over 50 exhibitions of Deaf organisations, which can help you build new networks, give you tips and help you change or develop your career.
Career opportunities
Proficiency in BSL can open up a range of career opportunities. Many organisations value employees who can communicate with Deaf clients or colleagues.
Professions such as teaching, healthcare, social work, media work and customer service often seek individuals with BSL skills. As such, learning sign language might be a great way to make you stand out when applying for jobs.
If you progress far enough, you could also pursue a career as a BSL interpreter. This is a highly rewarding profession which is very much in-demand today.
You don’t need to know someone Deaf to start
I’ll admit that one reason I didn’t learn sign language earlier is because I didn’t personally know anyone who was Deaf. I questioned whether I would actually use the language if I decided to invest time and money into learning it. It’s fair to say I have since realised I was being very short-sighted.
By taking your first BSL class, you can make Deaf friends, gain Deaf mentors and introduce yourself to Deaf communities. You widen your circle of contacts and naturally put yourself in situations where you use BSL more often. Sometimes it’s better to be proactive when learning a language, rather than learning out of necessity.
It’s a lot of fun!
This is one of the main reasons I decided to continue studying BSL. The language is so visual and expressive, and I find myself leaving every class with a smile on my face.
In particular, I find myself interested in the origins of the signs and how they relate to spoken English. It always seems to get a laugh when I tell people that the sign for Scotland is the bagpipes!
Study BSL Level 1 at City Lit
Start your sign language journey today by studying one of our Level 1 British Sign Language course.
