Emily Howlett: Why is everyone suddenly so interested in signed languages?

I’ve noticed quite a few things that have been changing over recent weeks; my hair is now about 8 feet long… Everyone has really clean windows and cars… We’re all trying really hard to be the next Paul Hollywood/Mary Berry…  my children generally look like I found them in a skip…  And there’s suddenly a LOT more signing out there…

I don’t mean useful, life-saving signing such as, for example, if the Prime Minister could possibly bear to have a BSL interpreter by his side during public announcements. And I don’t mean the entertaining, uplifting signing, such as the numerous videos being released by members of the Deaf community. 

I mean just general interest in signing (not specifically BSL). There’s been a noticeable upturn in the number of organisations and individuals offering to teach people sign language, and an even bigger upturn in the number of people wanting to learn. 

Of course, much of the newly found interest many people have in learning sign language can probably be attributed to them finally having the time to study. We’re now over two months into lockdown, and there’s only so much window cleaning anyone can take… 

Now, I am a HUGE supporter of anyone wanting to learn BSL. Maybe I’m in the minority but I’m also a supporter of people learning BSL during lockdown EVEN IF they’ll return to work soon, go back to having zero time for another language and promptly forget most of it.

Because they won’t forget ALL of it. And because the insight they will have into Deaf culture and language will stay with them, and hopefully they will be more aware forever.

(Controversy alert; I also really don’t mind if people want to practise their newly-discovered signs by creating sign songs, just as I don’t mind if they want to practise the fingerspelling alphabet in the bath.  I do, however, think these sorts of things might be best kept just for themselves; nobody should be trying to become famous or make money from badly signed songs or, indeed, fingerspelling in the bath. Just think of the wrinkles…)

However. 

The issue I have with signed languages suddenly becoming popular again (because these things do come and go every few years) is that this time it feels more… disrespectful.

Having done a little research, the number of accredited online courses or training opportunities, led by Deaf individuals and organisations, is actually lower than the number of random, uncertified ones. So, unless they know what to look for, people run the risk of signing up to a seriously bad course. 

People who aren’t fluent BSL users will typically pass on bad habits, incorrect signs and zero background information about Deaf culture and language. Because they don’t have the skills to sign accurately, they may often use their voice or SSE while teaching BSL, which, I feel, kind of defeats the purpose. 

People may be fluent in BSL but have no training or experience in teaching others. This can lead to all sorts of confusion for learners, and leave them feeling unsupported or, perhaps worse, overly confident in their abilities.

I can’t imagine it feels great to ‘complete’ a training course with a random hearing Instagram fiend, and then try out your new ‘skills’ on a Deaf person just to be met with blank stares…

Part of the problem is that there are people setting themselves up as BSL (or sign song) tutors because they want a way in to the spotlight. They see sign language is Having A Moment and they want to have theirs too. This often means they can comfortably offer their (inferior) services for free, or much more cheaply than professionals can.  Their aim is to gain notoriety, not to provide a good service. Seems disrespectful all round. Ugh.

I want EVERYONE to learn BSL. I want people to think “I have all this time, what shall I do to occupy my mind? I know! I’ll learn sign language!”

I want you all to discover the richness and beauty of my language, and find out why the Deaf community is so diverse, why Deaf history is so complex and fascinating (and, at times, hideous). 

I just want you to do it properly, so that you love it too. I don’t want you to become frustrated or give up because you have the wrong tutor. It doesn’t take too much research to figure out who is genuine; and I’m always happy to be asked! (Twitter: @ehowlett) If I can’t help you myself, I’ll know someone who can. 

Maybe it’s selfish, but, alongside all the other wonderful benefits of knowing BSL, I want you to be able to come and have a chat with me, on an equal level, instead of me having to compensate for you not knowing sign. 

I can’t learn to hear, but you can learn to sign. Just make sure you go to the right place. 

Emily Howlett is a profoundly Deaf actress, writer and teacher. She makes an awful lot of tea. And mess. She now has not one, but four grey eyebrow hairs. C’est la vie. She tweets as @ehowlett