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SIGN HERE
In this leaflet we explain what British Sign Language is and how to learn it. But if youve got more questions, our friendly helpline team is waiting to answer your call or email.
Telephone 0808 808 0123 Textphone 0808 808 9000 Email [email protected]
Are you thinking about learning British Sign Language (BSL)? Read this leaflet to find out: how to learn BSL how people who are deaf communicate about sign language in different countries and regional variations in BSL. Well show you essential BSL signs used in everyday life, and the fingerspelling alphabet.
What is BSL?
In the UK, people who are deaf use various methods of communication including speech and lipreading, but BSL is the most widely used method of signed communication. Some people www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 3
use Sign Supported English (SSE), which is not a language in its own right, but more a kind of English with signs. Its difficult to say how many people in the UK use BSL as their first or preferred language. Estimates vary from 50,000 to 70,000.
Name
What
Lip patterns
Lip patterns are a very important part of BSL. The signs for uncle, aunt, nephew and niece illustrate this. The handshape and movement are the same for these four signs, but the lip pattern is different.
Uncle
Aunt
Nephew
Niece
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What is fingerspelling?
Fingerspelling is the BSL alphabet. Certain words usually names of people and places are spelled out on fingers. However, fingerspelling alone is not sign language. See opposite for the fingerspelling alphabet. We have cards, bookmarks and posters of the fingerspelling alphabet (sometimes called the manual alphabet). We also have cards of the Welsh, Irish and deafblind fingerspelling alphabets. Contact the Information Line (see back cover) for copies.
Fingerspelling alphabet
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Greetings
Hello
Please
Thank you
Sorry 8
Goodbye
Greetings
Questions
Question
Who
What www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 9
Questions
Where
When
Why/Because
How
Feelings
Like 10
Dislike
Feelings
Good
Bad
Happy
Sad
Family
Family
Husband/Wife www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 11
Family
Mother
Father
Brother
Sister
Sandwich 12
Fruit
Biscuit
Chips
Tea
Coffee
Water
Wine www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 13
Time
Morning
Night
Today 14
Time
Tomorrow
Yesterday
Work
Work
Office www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 15
Work
Textphone
Telephone
Computer 16
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hear about the latest information and advice share your experiences of hearing loss with other members. As a member well update you six times a year, through our award-winning membership magazine. If youre retired, membership costs just 15 a year.
How to join
Complete the form on the reverse and return to us. Alternatively: visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/leafletjoin or call 0845 634 0679 (telephone) or 020 7296 8001 ext. 8256 (textphone) email [email protected] Contact us for more information: Action on Hearing Loss 19-23 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8SL [email protected] www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/leafletjoin www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 17
22 standard rate 15 if you are retired, unwaged or a full-time student In addition, I would like to make a donation of Payment method: I enclose a cheque/PO made payable to Action on Hearing Loss (delete as appropriate)
(delete as appropriate)
Please return this form to: Action on Hearing Loss, FREEPOST LON13186, London EC1B 1AL
Please tick here if you would like to receive emails from us including your membership email every two months. Occasionally, we may want to let you know about the work we are doing. If you would prefer not to be contacted in this way, please tick this box. Occasionally, we will allow other organisations to contact you, but if you would prefer not to be contacted, please tick this box.
Communication tips (card) A double-sided card with tips on one side if youre deaf or have a hearing loss and tips on the other side if youre hearing and speaking to someone who is deaf. Training as a British Sign Language/English interpreter (factsheet) Working with a British Sign Language/ English interpreter (factsheet) Contact our Information Line (see back page) for copies of these. And ask us if youd like any of our factsheets and leaflets in audio format, in Braille or in large print. Start to Sign! is our British Sign Language (BSL) support book for beginners with FREE online access to BSL video clips. The book features colour photographs of more than 800 signs. Plus theres lots of information about the development, structure and grammar of BSL. Buy the book and youll be able to watch the moving signs FREE. You can aid your learning and test yourself with our interactive quizzes. To order Start to Sign!, please contact Action on Hearing Loss on 01733 361199 (telephone), 01733 238020 (textphone), email [email protected] or shop online at www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/buystarttosign
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 19
Were the charity taking action on hearing loss since 1911. We cant do this without your help. To find out more about what we do and how you can support us go to www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk Telephone 0808 808 0123 Textphone 0808 808 9000 Email [email protected]
Action on Hearing Loss is the trading name of The Royal National Institute for Deaf People. A registered charity in England and Wales (207720) and Scotland (SC038926). A0006/0511