[lg policy] Norway: Sign Languages as Endangered Languages

Mon Nov 14 14:11:06 UTC 2011

Summary of the WFD/EUD Conference
10 Nov 2011

Conference Summary

Sign Languages as Endangered Languages
WFD/EUD Conference in Ål, Norway

Participants from 21 different countries travelled to Ål, Norway for a
conference on the theme of "Sign Languages as Endangered Languages".
Representatives from 14  National Associations of Deaf people were
present, with a good percentage of these being represented by their
Presidents.

As the conference proceeded over four days, it became clear that
national sign languages have often flourished in specific
institutions: schools for Deaf people. Historically, schools for Deaf
children became sites for the development and transmission of sign
languages, which in turn fostered the development of Deaf communities.
[i] But in the present day, educational institutions for deaf people
are no longer sites for promotion of sign languages.[ii] Conference
participants saw that new technological developments and the
pedagogies associated with these developments may have the consequence
of endangering the status of some countries' national sign languages.
[iii]

Some central themes emerged from four days of dialogue between
academics, language policy experts, representatives from deaf
associations, and deaf community members.

First, that there exists misinformation about the relationship between
spoken and signed languages.  A common myth is that Deaf children with
cochlear implants must be placed in non-signing environments, since
sign languages supposedly interfere with spoken language development.
But as one presenter forcefully pointed out, there is absolutely no
research which supports this myth. On the contrary, there is plentiful
research which shows bilingualism is an asset. Giving children the
opportunity to learn two or more languages promotes their language
development. It is important Deaf associations, leaders, and academics
call out those who would spread misinformation. It is up to us to
promote accuracy in public and academic discourse about the
relationship between spoken and sign languages.

Second, that there exists extremist educational methods which would
not only deny deaf children the right to sign language, but also deny
them the right to visual learning strategies. We need to question why
any educational method would strip away from any human being the right
to a natural means of communication.   Do these educational methods
violate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?  Do they violate
the human rights of Deaf children?

The conference also raised ideas on how sign languages can step away
from the path of endangerment and instead flourish within society at
large. Efforts to promote sign languages have often focused on
national signed languages. But there exist other forms of signed
languages, what researchers call "village sign languages". These
languages can be found in small communities, often geographically
isolated, in which a genetic variant of deafness is common and
families have both deaf and hearing members.   These communities have
existed at different times and locations in human history. In these
communities, sign language is widespread as a community language used
by both deaf and hearing people. If a signed language is accepted as
an organic part of the community, as is the case with some village
sign languages, then these sign languages are not endangered. [iv] The
lesson conference participants drew is that national sign languages
need to be understood as organic human languages, and not simply
something that exist only for deaf people.  In fact, one presenter
made the point that sign languages foster cognitive development in its
users.  Sign languages have been shown to help reading development-in
hearing children as well as deaf children.[v] Through this, we see
sign languages are a benefit for all humans.

Finally, conference attendees noted there are other ways to promote
sign languages than our traditional reliance on educational
institutions. Educational institutions have as a primary goal to teach
deaf children, with the ultimate goal being to promote social
inclusion, not a particular language. However, Language Policy Boards,
or Language Planning Councils, have been emerging in different
countries in the past years, with advisors or boards which focus on
sign languages. These institutions have one primary objective: to
promote sign languages.[vi] The work of these boards need to
incorporate attitude planning-in society at large.  These boards
should spread awareness about the fact that sign languages are a
collective good- that sign languages exist as a gain for all humanity.

[i] Murangira, Ambrose. 2011. How Deaf Communities can be Active
Stakeholders in Deaf Education.  Paper presented at the conference
Sign Languages as Endangered Languages, World Federation of the Deaf
and European Union of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway.

[ii] Tijsseling, Corrie. Recent Changes in Language Policies in Dutch
Deaf Education. Paper presented at the conference Sign Languages as
Endangered Languages, World Federation of the Deaf and European Union
of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway.

[iii] Tijsseling, 2011;  Boye-Niemelä, Janne. 2011. The Current Status
of Danish Sign Language.  Paper presented at the conference Sign
Languages as Endangered Languages, World Federation of the Deaf and
European Union of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway.

[iv] Zeshan, Ulrike. 2011. Models of sign language endangerment and
opportunities for revitalisation. Paper presented at the conference
Sign Languages as Endangered Languages, World Federation of the Deaf
and European Union of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway;  Dikyuva,
Hasan. 2011. Mardan Sign Language. Paper presented at the conference
Sign Languages as Endangered Languages, World Federation of the Deaf
and European Union of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway.

[v] Hauser, Peter.  How Deaf Children Learn.  Paper presented at the
conference Sign Languages as Endangered Languages, World Federation of
the Deaf and European Union of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway.

[vi] Alanne, Kaisa. 2011. Sign Languages and Language Policy and
Planning.  Paper presented at the conference Sign Languages as
Endangered Languages, World Federation of the Deaf and European Union
of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway;  Holten, Sonja Myre. 2011.
Sign Language in Norway: What's Next?  Paper presented at the
conference Sign Languages as Endangered Languages, World Federation of
the Deaf and European Union of the Deaf, November 6-9, in Ål Norway.

http://www.eud.eu/videos.php?action=view&news_id=162

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