Sept. 23 is the UN’s International Day of Sign Languages. Ku Fang-huai, a doctor of deaf studies and education from Lamar University in Texas, was invited alongside people in the deaf community to share their experience of deaf children’s education. They encourage teaching sign language from a young age to protect the basic wellbeing and interests of the deaf community.

Simple gestures paired with vivid facial expressions make it clear what the other is thinking. To the deaf community, sign language is a crucial form of communication.

Chiu An
Sign language interpreter
I find every translation very rewarding, no matter the size of the interaction. I can help deaf and hearing people communicate with each other. I can help them complete a dialogue or meeting or forum or doctor’s visit, or even something simple. As long as I can help them smoothly complete an interaction, I feel accomplished.

Ku Fang-huai
Signing Village Workshop founder
Sign language is enormously helpful to deaf children. If they can use sign language, they can learn more. They can absorb more information, get a better education, and then find a better job.

There are about 70 million deaf people in the world and over 3 million different kinds of sign language. In Taiwan, sign language doesn’t have a long history. It came out of the Japanese signing family. But with recent advancements under the Development of National Languages Act, Taiwanese signing is getting more attention.

Ford Liao
Taiwan New Century Foundation
It’s a form of communication. If the form is complete and accurate, people are better able to understand what’s being said. On the other hand, the greater consideration is you don’t want to cause more harm from a breakdown in communication. For example, in many legal cases the content is extremely important.

Although there’s still a long way to go before sign language is popularized, advocates hope that through education and promotion, the deaf community can fully enjoy their rights while building a more friendly environment for all people.

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