International Sign Language Day and Its Global Significance
International Sign Language Day is celebrated on 23 September each year, during the International Week of the Deaf. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to promote awareness of the importance of sign languages for the full realisation of human rights for deaf people.
The date marks the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951, an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of deaf individuals and coordinating national deaf associations worldwide. Sign languages are diverse, with over 300 different languages used by more than 70 million deaf people globally.
In Australia, the national sign language known as Auslan is officially recognised and widely used within the deaf community. Auslan is part of the British Sign Language family and is supported by government legislation, educational institutions, and national organisations such as Deaf Australia.
Date and Establishment of the Commemorative Day
The International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on 23 September as part of the United Nations’ system of world and international days. This date coincides with the International Week of the Deaf. The United Nations General Assembly designated 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages because it marks the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951. The day was officially established by the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/72/161 on 19 December 2017 and was first officially celebrated on 23 September 2018.
Sign Languages in Australia
In Australia, the national sign language is known as Auslan (Australian Sign Language), which holds official recognition as the language of the Australian Deaf community. This recognition was formally established by the Australian government in 1987, affirming Auslan’s status within the country. Auslan primarily derives from British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language, placing it within the British Sign Language family. Alongside Auslan, several Indigenous Australian sign languages, such as Yolŋu Sign Language and Central Australian Sign Language, are also used, reflecting the linguistic diversity of sign languages in Australia.
Deaf Australia serves as the national association representing the interests of Deaf Australians, including advocacy for the recognition and development of Auslan. The organisation actively promotes the rights of Deaf people and raises awareness of Auslan through events and information campaigns, particularly around International Sign Language Day.
The use of Auslan is well integrated into Australian society, especially in media and public communication. Auslan interpreters are widely employed in television broadcasts of emergency government announcements and news, which is crucial during natural disasters and other emergencies. The quality of Auslan interpreting services is maintained through the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), which certifies Auslan interpreters to ensure professional standards.
Legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 guarantees the rights of people with hearing impairments to reasonable accommodations, including access to Auslan interpreting services. In education, specialised schools for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students use Auslan either as the primary language of instruction or as a key component of bilingual programs. Furthermore, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recognises Auslan as a distinct language in national censuses, enabling official documentation of its users across the country.
Role and Objectives of International Sign Language Day
The primary objective of International Sign Language Day is to raise awareness about the crucial role that sign language plays in the full realisation of human rights for deaf individuals. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of early access to sign language and related services. Such early access, including quality education delivered through sign language, is vital for the development and well-being of deaf people. By emphasising these goals, International Sign Language Day highlights the necessity of recognising and supporting sign language as an essential means of communication and inclusion for the deaf community.
General Information about Sign Languages and Deaf People
The World Federation of the Deaf is an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of deaf individuals worldwide and coordinating the efforts of national deaf associations. According to this federation, there are over 70 million deaf people globally who communicate using more than 300 distinct sign languages. These sign languages are largely independent of spoken languages, highlighting their unique linguistic structures. For example, British Sign Language and American Sign Language are not mutually intelligible despite both being used in English-speaking countries. Furthermore, American Sign Language (ASL) originated from French Sign Language but shares only 43% similarity with it. Sign languages are as rich and complex as spoken languages and continue to evolve over time. It is also common for multiple sign languages to coexist within a single country. Interestingly, in countries with several spoken languages, deaf communities may use a single sign language for communication.
