Sign Language

Being deaf signifies not being able to hear. Most of us are born deaf or have become deaf at an early age. Because of this we use a visual language, sign language.

Art about Sign Language (Nagedga Filipova 1999)

Sign language is used in direct communication in the same way that hearing use speech. In Sweden deaf use their own language, the so called Swedish Sign Language, because there are different national sign languages. Swedish is our second language and we use it primarily to read and write.

Sign language has existed just as long as there have been deaf people and the deaf group has developed sign language during all these years. We see ourselves as a cultural community and a linguistic minority. As we already mentioned, deaf have a cultural community and live in the mainstream society of the hearing.

In Sweden there are between 8.000 and 10.000 deaf persons. Language is a basic right for every individual. Through language we can achieve communication with others and can exchange thoughts and develop a consciousness. In addition we recieve new concepts about the environment and a better understanding of different situations.

In order for us deaf to function in all situations of life it is imperative that society accepts us as signing citizens. Our language is of central importance for our community, self esteem and cultural identity. Through the common communication form we have created an identity and our own culture.