About sign language

Sign language has been around since Mankind started to communicate.

There are hundreds of different sign languages around the world.

Every country has its own sign language, such as Irish Sign Language (ISL) or American Sign Language (ASL). They may have different methods of fingerspelling – for example, using just one hand.

Some sign languages are very similar to British Sign Language, such as Auslan (Australian Sign Language).

And there is an International Sign Language which enables deaf people from different countries to communicate with each other

If you want to find out more about BSL and sign language history, visit the British Deaf Association website. It’s the main charity representing BSL users.