Can sign language be standardised?

Chaithanya Kothapalli

A dreamer that anything is possible. Always curious.

While there is a conscious effort to standardise the Indian Sign Language, I wonder if that is possible. 

Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where it's people come from and where they are going.

Why having a uniform standard is important?

There are efforts underway by the government, & communities, to standardise the Indian sign language, The argument has merit and does make communication easier with a larger section of the community. Other countries seemed to have done it and are now better and bridging the communication challenges within the community. Here are some key advantages if we choose to standardise the language.

  • Makes communication easier among cross sections of the society.
  • Makes important things like education more accessible.
  • Opens doors for increasing the supply talent of teachers, across the country.
  • Creates opportunities for interpreters to be available with no geographical boundaries.
  • Brings technology solutions to make information accessible closer to reality

A language is not merely words. It gives in-depth view of one's culture, experiences, history, thoughts, and much more. It tells a great deal of the person you are interacting with.

Why having a uniform standard is important?

There are efforts underway by the government, & communities, to standardise the Indian sign language, The argument has merit and does make communication easier with a larger section of the community. Other countries seemed to have done it and are now better and bridging the communication challenges within the community. Here are some key advantages if we choose to standardise the language.

  • Makes communication easier among cross sections of the society.
  • Makes important things like education more accessible.
  • Opens doors for increasing the supply talent of teachers, across the country.
  • Creates opportunities for interpreters to be available with no geographical boundaries.
  • Brings technology solutions to make information accessible closer to reality

Originally published May 2, 2019