Філологічні науки/ 7

Язык, речь, речевая коммуникация

Ann A. Kotok

Donbas State Technical University

Language Varieties?

However, in our century of international communication and a giant role

of languages, in my opinion there are problems which are not taken into

consideration. What way the language of gestures for the deaf can be treated? Today I

dare to talk about this aspect.

In Great Britain they developed the so-called British Sign Language – the

special language for deaf people. It includes the movements of hands, body,

the expression of face and head turns. In reality, except 70,000 deaf people who use

BSL as their first language there is a big number of people for whom it

is compulsory to use sign language in communication with their relatives or

to have contacts with the British Deaf Association.

It is necessary to mention that BSL was first recorded in 1575 and it has since

evolved its own syntax and grammar as well as regional variations,

including Geordie, Mancunian and London “accents”.

There is an opinion that sign language has a very simple structure. But in fact, its division is rather complicated. The language of gestures is one of the means of communication for deaf people and as well as the natural languages sign languages have their individual dialects and accents.

It goes without saying, that though the United Kingdom and the United States of America have English as their national language, British Sign Language (BSL) differs greatly from American Sign Language (ASL). The version used in the United States is based on French, not British Sign Language. BSL fingerspelling also differs from ASL as far as in BSL both hands are used, while in ASL they use only one hand. BSL also differs from Irish Sign Language (ISL). In Northern Ireland both BSL and NISL are rather widespread. There are separate sign languages in Australia (Auslan) and in New Zealand (NZSL) that have been forming from 19^th century on an equal footing with BSL. All in all, BSL, Auslan and NZSL received a general name BANZSL.

Even the special system of connections for persons with physical or mental defects, Makaton, was originally developed from exact signs, borrowed from BSL.

On March, 18, 2003 British Sign Language gained government recognition as an official language of Britain in a move of profound symbolic and practical significance for the nation’s deaf community. "BSL is more than simply a means of communication. We are talking about a culture as well," said Andrew Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He also urged those who set school exams to pay urgent attention to creating GCSEs and A Levels in BSL

Organisations representing deaf people said that the move represented

a great historical, cultural and emotional landmark. In giving official

recognition to a language now used by more people than use Welsh or Gaelic,

the Government was laying the foundations for greater participation of deaf people

in the nations economic and cultural life, they said.

It should be specially stressed, that British deaf people “communicate” in different dialects. According to the investigations British scientists announce that in the result of the two hundred years development of BSL several dialects have being formed and its vocabulary soon will be introduce in a special dictionary. For example, signs that are used in Scotland do not coincide with signs, used in Southern England. Besides, there is a number of local gestures, inherent to certain cities such as Manchester. Moreover definite signs are in a state of flux, because they can become old-fashioned, while some of them become up-to-date. In experts’ opinion there are more than 50 words that do not coincide in different corners of Great Britain. For example, in Glasgow the word “milk” is marked by pointing at the fist of the right hand by the index finger of the left hand. At this time in the northern part of England to “pronounce” this word both hands are holding against each other and the little fingers and thumbs are protruded. Today a big number of British TV-channels broadcast programs turning to account the surd-translation. Such channels as BBS and Channel 4 even have special programs for the deaf. It is too evident to require proof that it would increase the number of hearing people using BSL to enable deaf people to become better integrated into British life and even make it easier for people using other public services, such as hospitals and local authorities, to gain access to a sign language interpreter. I would like to bring an example of famous utterance of Thomas Jefferson: “Where the information is free and every man is able to read, all is safe”.

Now I propose you to compare two types of languages. However in whole the natural language is indivisible and has common grammar in both literary and spoken language. As to the deaf they use two languages of gestures in their intercourse that have different grammar and collection of gestures. There are spoken sign language, used in everyday life and calquing sign language, used in official conditions. It includes both gestures of spoken sign language and gestures of sign language that serve for literally reproduction.

It should also be noted that twenty years ago sign language was regarded as an inferior system of communication – not a language. Parents were advised not to allow children to use signs, as this would spoil their chances of developing speech and lip-reading skills. Susan Daniels, chief executive of the National Deaf Children's Society, said that many local education authorities did not offer sign language teaching. "Hopefully this move will put an end to the current situation that can see moving around the country or having to send their child away to find a school that will meet the needs of their child”, she said.

The view now is that deaf children should, if possible, become bilingual

in both sign language and speech. Each country has its own version of sign language.

As the result BSL and ASL, as the international sign language, were

included into national curriculum in Great Britain.

Jeff McWhinney, chief executive of the British Deaf Association, said: "There is

still a long way to go before equality is achieved, but this is a milestone

achievement for the sign language community.

Ann Kotok

ВІДОМОСТІ ПРО АВТОРА

Коток Анна Олександрівна

Адреса: вул. Леніна, 46, кв.196

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94204

Тел. 8(06442) 4-27- 66

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