Sign languages as Career

Ranjan K Baruah *

We should be aware that according to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. As per the 2011 Census, the total population of deaf persons in India numbered about 50 lakh.

The needs of the deaf community have long been ignored and the problems have been documented by various organizations working for the deaf. Obsolete training methodology and teaching systems need urgent attention which brings opportunity to choose sign languages as a career choice.

Sign Language is a system of communication that involves hand gestures and signs to communicate with deaf people. Each country has its own Sign Language system, like American Sign Language or Indian Sign Language.

These are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages. There is also an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages.

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. The day is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.

One may choose sign language as their career choice in life. There are Sign Language courses dedicated to teaching basic to advanced, online and offline. There are certifications, PG diploma and other courses in the field of Sign Language.

This course is a requirement for those who wish to take up work as interpreters of Sign Language. In the near future there shall be a requirement for many Sign Language Interpreters who will be interpreting at different community or public places such as hospitals, railway stations, etc.

Course fees vary from institute to institutes and diplomas are from 4 months to 6 months. There are online courses apart from offline courses. Some popular online courses are Learn and Master Sign Language, Educating Deal Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher, Introduction to Catalan Sign Language: Speaking with Your Hands and Hearing with Your Eyes, Professional Certificate in American Sign Language Science, Indian Sign Language and Sign Quiz, etc .

ISLRTC: In the 2000s, the Indian deaf community advocated for an institute focused on ISL teaching and research. The 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) acknowledged that the needs of people with hearing disabilities had been relatively neglected and envisaged the development of a sign language research and training center, to promote and develop sign language and training of teachers and interpreters.

The Finance Minister announced the setting up of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center (ISLRTC) in the Union Budget speech of 2010-11. As a result, in 2011, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment approved the establishment of the ISLRTC as an autonomous center of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi.

The foundation stone of the center was laid at IGNOU campus on 4th October, 2011. In 2013, the center at IGNOU was closed. After a long struggle by the deaf community, the Ministry approved the establishment of ISLRTC in New Delhi on 28th September, 2015.

There is a need for ISL interpreters which is an urgent requirement at institutes and places where communication between deaf and hearing people takes place but India has less trained people which means it brings opportunity for the trained people to become ISL interpreters.