British Sign Language is the fix and it’s already available.
It’s cheap and cheerful and with a bit of practice and polish it will last all of your life.
You don’t have to sign a contract and it will not get you into debt.
It will always be your friend and supporter.
It will empower everyone at some time in their lives.
It even could save lives.
It’s ingenious and an under-rated tool of life.
Children would be the vector. That may not be exactly the right word. I mean that children learn so very quickly, so if taught BSL on entering formal school curriculum, naturally they would carry BSL home to their families; they would practice and argue with their siblings; some BSL would rub off to their parents and grandparents; this would normalise BSL and its spread would be like a pandemic.
What, oh wait!
Like a wildfire. No wait that’s no good either….
The BSL spread would be to the benefit of all in society.
It immediately needs putting on the school curriculum. Carpe Diem! It should not be left to schools to decide, schools have enough to contend with, this needs to come as a directive from the top.
Learning BSL has the same benefits of learning any other language: cognitive development, problem-solving, improved memory, critical thinking, enhanced concentration, ability to multi-task, effective listening skills. In all likelihood BSL would help reduce some mental health issues by encouraging connection between peers and professionals, using signs to express feelings may be easier than actually speaking, at times.
Let’s imagine, just for fun, some of the ways BSL would be useful in life:
From behind a screen.
In a noisy environment.
In a quiet environment.
Over a distance rather than yelling.
In a hospital.
In a bank.
In a private meeting at work.
In a quiet zone on a train.
In a cinema.
Your turn.
It can be tested just as any other language can be. I believe its benefits exceed those of learning any other language. It’s a whole-life language. Not just a holiday language or a specialised trade language.
I am not a Brexiteer, this subject dear to my heart is not about politics however isn’t BSL in the U.K. more poignant now than ever? Surely it’s vital and healthy to be able to effectively communicate with all of your country people? Including those 11 million deaf or hearing impaired? There still could be optional other languages to learn but BSL ought to be at the heart of the school curriculum. This surely is the moment to capitalise on a shift to make U.K. a world leader in inclusive effective communications. We are pretty decent at all sorts of things. Why not add something else to be proud of?
The time has come.
1731-11