By: Angel dela Cruz
Did you know that there are more than 70 million people worldwide who are deaf? These people were unable to hear, either completely or partly. According to the United Nations, they use more than 300 different sign languages to communicate and express themselves. How do they do it? They use hand gestures and movements of the face.
There are different sign languages in different countries or regions like ASL or American Sign Language and BSL or British Sign Language. It is unclear how many sign languages exist around the world but one might wonder; how do most parents and children learn these sign languages? Parents often learn it along with their children or learn the sign language through deaf peers and they become fluent.
As the International Day of Sign Languages draws near, let us raise awareness and share the importance of sign language for people who are deaf and mute or with impaired hearing. This kind of awareness is very crucial because it facilitates a bridge between hearing and deaf people and it creates a more diverse and open society.