Sign Language Day: More natural for everyone

Banned in schools for centuries, then tolerated. It has been recognized in Germany since 2002. On International Sign Language Day, the language should become more natural for everyone.

There was a lot of excitement at the beginning of the corona pandemic: The mask requirement would make communication more difficult for deaf people. Sure, it restricts facial expressions – and prevents lip reading. But that’s not our main problem. Because reading lips is not our means of communication.

What most of us use is sign language. An independent language with its own grammar. For centuries it was banned in schools, then tolerated. It has been recognized in Germany since 2002. So barely visible for a long time. After a lot of pressure, at some press conferences in politics, sign language interpreters are finally used publicly for barrier-free information.

Since then there have been small changes in everyday life: the salesperson dares to use his hands while talking. The waitress writes down her questions. And some even know how to sign “thank you”.

Signs should stay

It is desirable that when the pandemic ends, the sign language translations do not disappear from the public again. The language should become more natural for everyone.

This is because hearing fellow citizens are sensitized and the deaf are accepted as an equal part in society. And on a small scale, everyone can also contribute: by daring to use gestures and facial expressions when communicating with pigeons.