Regional Signs
What is a regional sign?
In every language there will be new words which have different meanings in different regions even though on the whole, the majority of the lexicon will be the same. Regional dialects exist in British Sign Language (BSL) as well. However, with advanced modern day technology improving communication, regional signs are becoming more and more a thing of the past. When conversing in BSL, you are more likely to discover regional signs amongst older signers.
Why do regional signs exist?
Regional exists exist because of regional isolation, spontaneity and outside influences. Until recently, Deaf people in the UK were relatively isolated, there is no way to send letters in BSL (as it has no written form) and BSL cannot be used over the telephone (as it is a visual language).
If a particular signing community developed a spontaneous sign, no one outside of that community would know about the sign. It is possible that signing communities close to other signing communities using a different sign language were influenced. For example, in Northern Ireland both BSL and Irish Sign Language (ISL) are used, BSL users in Northern Ireland could of been influenced by ISL users living close by.
Why are regional dialects decreasing?
Regional signs are decreasing and this conformity of BSL is due to the advancements of modern day technology allowing BSL users to communicate on a wider scale. Examples include:
▪ Nationally broadcasted television programmes have more signed programmes.
▪ The Internet has allowed BSL users to communicate via webcams with one another.
▪ Some websites also include BSL.
▪ Publication of BSL dictionaries often leave out regional signs which encourages signers to learn the ‘proper’ sign.
Formal and informal BSL
As with any language, there is formal and informal use of BSL. In more formal situations, e.g. a job interview, more formal BSL would be expected with constricted signing spaces, no ‘slang’ signs and perhaps more fingerspelling. In social situations, more informal signing is generally used with a larger signing space, more ‘slang’ signs (such as a shrug in place of the sign for ‘don’t know’) and little fingerspelling.
What is a regional sign?
In every language there will be new words which have different meanings in different regions even though on the whole, the majority of the lexicon will be the same. Regional dialects exist in British Sign Language (BSL) as well. However, with advanced modern day technology improving communication, regional signs are becoming more and more a thing of the past. When conversing in BSL, you are more likely to discover regional signs amongst older signers.
Why do regional signs exist?
Regional exists exist because of regional isolation, spontaneity and outside influences. Until recently, Deaf people in the UK were relatively isolated, there is no way to send letters in BSL (as it has no written form) and BSL cannot be used over the telephone (as it is a visual language).
If a particular signing community developed a spontaneous sign, no one outside of that community would know about the sign. It is possible that signing communities close to other signing communities using a different sign language were influenced. For example, in Northern Ireland both BSL and Irish Sign Language (ISL) are used, BSL users in Northern Ireland could of been influenced by ISL users living close by.
Why are regional dialects decreasing?
Regional signs are decreasing and this conformity of BSL is due to the advancements of modern day technology allowing BSL users to communicate on a wider scale. Examples include:
▪ Nationally broadcasted television programmes have more signed programmes.
▪ The Internet has allowed BSL users to communicate via webcams with one another.
▪ Some websites also include BSL.
▪ Publication of BSL dictionaries often leave out regional signs which encourages signers to learn the ‘proper’ sign.
Formal and informal BSL
As with any language, there is formal and informal use of BSL. In more formal situations, e.g. a job interview, more formal BSL would be expected with constricted signing spaces, no ‘slang’ signs and perhaps more fingerspelling. In social situations, more informal signing is generally used with a larger signing space, more ‘slang’ signs (such as a shrug in place of the sign for ‘don’t know’) and little fingerspelling.
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