If deaf people received a pound for every time a hearing person tells us: “I’ve always wanted to learn to sign,” we’d be able to give up our jobs and spend our days having all kinds of amazing conversations with non-deaf folk.
Of course, it can be tricky to know how to get started with British Sign Language (BSL), but it really is worth learning a little as it makes a big difference in helping deaf people feel included.
To help, Cadbury Fingers has teamed up with the National Deaf Children’s Society for the Sign with Fingers campaign, and together they have developed little lessons to encourage everyone to learn some BSL. Alongside these lessons, the Sign with Fingers website hosts fabulous tips on how to communicate with deaf people.
According to the British Deaf Association, BSL is used by more than 150,000 people in the UK so you’ll soon be able to communicate with deaf people through windows, across the room at crowded parties, and even hold a vigorous debate in the quiet carriage on a train without getting annoyed glances from fellow commuters.
To show you just how simple it can be, here are five deaf people, who work in the arts industry, demonstrating a few useful conversation starters:
Hello and goodbye
Deepa Shastri, producer, presenter and consultant
Where would we be without hello and goodbye? Of course, if you only know these two signs, your visit to a deaf gathering will be very short, but at least people won’t see you walking out without a second glance and think you’re rude.
Good morning, good afternoon and good night
Daryl Jackson, BSL consultant, actor and presenter
These signs are perfect for times when hello is neither specific nor upbeat enough, or for when you just want to show off a little bit.
How are you?
Rebecca Withey, writer and performer
It’s always good to show an interest in the other person, so this is the next step in your inaugural signed conversation. This is also an example of how one sign can do the work of three words in English – efficiency clearly isn’t only for German car makers.
Good and OK
Matt Kirby, comedy actor, writer and translator
Once you’ve been asked how you are, these two possible replies might show that you’re either good or merely OK. Note: deaf people are capable of understated British reserve too.
Please and thank you
Donna Mullings, actor, BSL consultant, Deaf Youth Theatre leader
So you’ve made it to your first deaf gathering, you’ve said hello, asked how the other person is, and now you’ve arrived at the bar. Politeness gets you everywhere, though when making the sign for thank you, be careful not to accidentally blow a kiss, unless this genuinely reflects your level of gratitude for the pint you’ve just been served.
If you like what you’ve seen, and want to learn more (and why wouldn’t you), head over to the Cadbury Fingers hub where you can find out how to say things such as “Going anywhere nice?” or “Where are you from?”. You’ll also pick up tips on how best to start a conversation with a deaf person, which is a great way to help everyone feel included.
To learn even more BSL, take a look at some of the other little lessons on the Cadbury Fingers Sign with Fingers website
