What is sign language?

In Britain, the term 'sign language' usually refers to British Sign Language (BSL). Over 70,000 people within the British Deaf community use BSL. It is a visual language using handshapes, facial expressions, gestures and body language to communicate.

BSL is an independent, complete language with a unique vocabulary. The grammatical structure of BSL is different from that of written and spoken English.

Just like other languages, BSL has evolved over time and developed regional and national dialects.

Bearsted Thursday Rainbows submitted this great photo (right) when they got to grips with some basic BSL.

What is sign language?
 

Sign language activities

These signing sheets will help to get you started.

  • Sign the guiding Promises

    After you’ve spent some time practising finger spelling and playing deaf awareness games, why not teach the girls how to sign the guiding Promise! Download Resource

  • Signed song – We Are Family

    We Are Family by Sister Sledge is a fantastic song to sign along to. All girls can have a go at learning signs for all or part of the song.Download Resource
 

 7 comment(s)

Carolyne says:
11 Feb, 2009 09:02
It would be great to have this as a video to download, easier to learn that way.
Sarah Chapman (NDCS Website Editor) says:
11 Feb, 2009 15:02
Carolyne, Many thanks for your feedback. You can obtain these clips in DVD format by visiting the 'Request materials' page and completing a quick form: www.ndcshandsup.orgrequestmaterials.aspx Hope this is useful.
Andrea says:
16 Feb, 2009 07:02
I will find the signed Brownie Promise very useful. I have a deaf Brownie and I wanted to sign the Brownie Promise and now I can. Thanks so much.
Claire de Boehmler says:
24 Feb, 2009 20:02
Great website, very helpful and I have just found a photo on of two of my Rangers one of whom is deaf signing. It's great fun to incorporate signing into all of your Guiding activities. Best wishes to everyone who joins in from st newmarket Guides Rangers!
Lorna Sibbald says:
02 Mar, 2009 22:03
This is great and our Brownie pack have learnt the Promise. We wanted to do some other games using sign language but I can only find fingerspelling sheets, not signs. Where should I look to teach the girls some basic sign language?
Sarah Chapman (NDCS website editor) says:
03 Mar, 2009 14:03
Lorna - Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, we're not able to produce additional sign sheets as thse are professionally drawn by a sign illustrator. You may find this external website useful: www.britishsignlanguage.com There are no printed materials, however there are lots of simple video clips.
ella says:
07 Jul, 2009 21:07
this is so cool. i am a guide and i now speak sign with my bf. it's our special code!

 



 

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