The World Philately News Dt 23.09.2021

*TODAY*

*International Day of Sign Languages*

As per the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), more than 70 million people are deaf worldwide. Out of them, more than 80% live in developing countries. Overall, they use more than 300 different sign languages.

International Day of Sign Languages is observed on September 23. The day provides a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users across the world, according to the UN.

What are Sign languages?

Sign language is any means of communication through bodily movements, mainly those of the hands and arms. It is used when spoken communication is not possible or not desirable.

Or we can say that they are fully-fledged natural languages, structurally different from spoken languages. For the deaf people, there is also an international sign language, which is used by them in international meetings and informally via travelling and socialising. It is expressed as a pidgin form of sign language. It is not as complex as natural sign language and has a limited lexicon.

The use of sign languages has been recognised and promoted by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). That is sign languages are equal in status to spoken language and obligates states parties to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community.

International Day of Sign Languages 2021: Theme

The theme for International Day of Sign Languages 2021 is “We Sign For Human Rights". It highlights how each of us deaf and hearing people across the world can work together hand in hand to promote the recognition of our right to use sign languages in all areas of life, as per the UN.

International Day of Sign Languages 2021: History

The proposal for the International Day of the Sign Languages came from the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). The resolution A/RES/72/161 was adopted by consensus on December 19, 2017 which was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and co-sponsored by 97 United Nations Member States.

When was the International Day of Sign Languages first time celebrated?

The day was first time celebrated in 2018 as a part of the International Week of the Deaf.  September 23 was chosen because on this date the WFD was established in 1951.

For the first time, the International Week of the Deaf was celebrated in September 1958.

*Tamilvanan Philatelist*