International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is observed annually across the world on September 23 every year along with International Week of the Deaf. UN General Assembly declared September 23 as International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) on December 19, 2017. The day came into being following a request by the WFD through the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN. The objective of the IDSL is to raise awareness of sign languages. The last week of September is observed as the International Week of the Deaf with a day-wise theme. The first International Day of Sign languages was celebrated in 2018 under the theme 'With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!' The theme of IDSL 2019 is 'Sign Language Rights for All!' As the International Day of Sign Languages 2019 approaches, we have made a list of facts and trivia on sign languages.

In December 2018, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Board adopted and announced the theme 'Sign Language Rights for All'! This year, the WFD Board decided to create a sub-theme for each day of the week from September 23 (Monday) to September 29. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide of which than 80 percent live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. Here are some stunning facts about sign language.

  • Sign language differs in different countries. It is not universal; even British and American sign languages differ.

  • The deaf don't clap after a performance or show; they instead wiggle their hands in the air in appreciation.

  • French Sign Language and American Sign Language are the most alike.

  • Sign Language is not just about signs, it includes expressions, body language, hand movements, gestures and some sounds.

  • As the conventional phone cannot be used by the deaf, they use a teletypewriter (TTY) on which they type messages to the receiver. They similarly use vibrating alarm clocks.

  • Sign language is independent and is not similar to the gestures in spoken language. The language has its own grammar.

  • Like the way brain damage can affect a child's spoken language, it can similarly impact a person's ability to communicated in sign language.

  • In 1980, the first Nicaraguan school for the deaf opened.

Talking about the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, "This International Day recognises the importance of sign languages for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling its core promise of leaving no one behind. It also offers an opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all sign language users."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2019 08:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).