About this leaflet

This leaflet tells you about:

Have a look at our BSL video clips to find BSL signs that are useful in everyday life, especially at work.

You can download a portable document format (PDF) version of this leaflet (opens new browser window) or request a printed copy from the RNID Information Line.

Learning British Sign Language

It is impossible to learn to sign from a leaflet, a book, video or CD-ROM but we hope the signs in the leaflet will introduce you to BSL. If you find this leaflet interesting and would like to learn BSL, the best way to start is to take a course taught by a qualified sign language teacher.

Contact the RNID Information Line for details of colleges running BSL courses in your area. We can also tell you more about RNID's guide to BSL: "Start to sign". It is available as a CD-ROM or book and uses videoclips and photos to show hundreds of signs. You can buy the Start to Sign CD-ROM and book online from the RNID Shop.

If you want to find out more about training to become a sign language interpreter see our factsheet "Training as a British Sign Language/English interpreter".

How deaf people communicate

Deaf people in the UK use various methods of communication but BSL is the most widely used method of signed communication.

Some people use Sign Supported English (SSE). SSE is not a language in its own right, but is like a kind of English with signs. Many people you see signing may be using SSE.

The Deaf Community

It is estimated that 9 million people in the UK are deaf or hard of hearing. However, not all of them are members of the Deaf Community, which includes people who use BSL as their first or preferred language. It is difficult to say how many people in the UK use BSL as their first or preferred language: current estimates suggest 50,000.

Many deaf people whose first or preferred language is BSL may describe themselves as "Deaf", with a capital "D", to emphasise their Deaf identity. They may consider themselves part of the Deaf Community.

British Sign Language grammar

BSL evolved naturally as all languages do. It uses both manual and non-manual components such as handshapes and movements, facial expression, and shoulder movement. BSL is structured in a completely different way to English and like any language it has its own grammar. Linguists generally agree that BSL is a 'topic-comment' language. For example, the question in English "What is your name?" becomes the sequence "Your name what?" in BSL.

Fingerspelling

People who use BSL also use fingerspelling. Certain words - usually names of people and places - are spelled out on fingers. However, it is important to remember that fingerspelling alone is not sign language.

Contact the RNID Information Line for our A5 cards which are available on the following:

Sign languages in different countries

Sign languages are as diverse as spoken languages. Deaf people in different countries do not use the same sign language, but some sign languages have a similar structure. BSL is not universal: it is only used in the UK.

Some Deaf people in Northern Ireland prefer to use Irish Sign Language (ISL) as well as BSL.

Regional variations

BSL has many regional variations in the same way that spoken languages have different dialects. In different parts of the country signs will have different meanings, or there will be different signs for the same words. For example there are 10 to 12 variations for the word 'holiday'.

Want to know more?

If you would like to buy books, videos or CD-ROMs about BSL, or you want to broaden your knowledge of deafness and the Deaf Community, contact the following organisations.

Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP)

CACDP sells course materials and videos for all BSL examinations.

CACDP, Durham University Science Park, Block 4, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3UZ
Telephone: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: durham@cacdp.org.uk
Website: Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (external link, opens new browser window)

Forest Bookshop

Forest Bookshop supplies a wide range of books, videos and CD-ROMs on deafness.

Forest Bookshop Warehouse, Unit 2, New Building, Ellwood Road, Milkwall, Coleford, Gloucestershire GL16 7LE
Telephone: 01594 833858
Textphone: 01594 833507
Videophone: 01594 810637
Fax: 01594 833446
Email: forest@forestbooks.com
Website: Forest Bookshop (external link, opens new browser window) 

RNID Information Line

The RNID Information Line offers a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss.

RNID Information Line, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk

RNID Library

The RNID Library has specialist publications ranging from academic journals to books for children.

RNID Library, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, 330-332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE
Telephone: 020 7915 1553
Textphone: 020 7915 1553
Fax: 020 7915 1443
Email: rnidlib@ucl.ac.uk
Website: RNID Library (external link, opens new browser window)

RNID website

We have over 100 full colour BSL video clips on this website. They introduce you to a cross-section of basic BSL vocabulary, from greetings and introductions to talking about yourself and what you do.

What is RNID?

RNID is the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. As a membership charity, we aim to achieve a radically better quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this in the following ways:

This leaflet is part of RNID's communication range.

In 2002, the Plain English Campaign awarded RNID a Plain English Award for our series of information leaflets.