News

Rich culture and history of British Sign Language and poetry celebrated

23 Apr 2024

3 minutes

Event at University’s Manchester Poetry Library will feature talks, discussions and poetry performances

Image showing 17th century gestures now used in British Sign Language

Image showing a selection of 17th century gestures which are still used in British Sign Language today

The rich history, heritage, and culture of British Sign Language (BSL) and poetry will be celebrated by Manchester Metropolitan University as part of Manchester British Sign Language Fest 2024.

Manchester Poetry Library is hosting BSL Heritage: Poetry and Histories of British Sign Languageon April 24, exploring the history of BSL which dates back to the 17^th century, and how BSL poetry forms a valuable part of its culture.

Dr Rosamund Oates, Reader in Early Modern History at Manchester Met, researches the history of deafness in early modern England and will speak at the event about the early history and heritage of sign language in the UK.

Poetry plays an important part of BSL culture and the language is celebrated through two types of BSL poetry including visual vernacular – a physical from of performance using mime, sign language and techniques from theatre – as well as poetry composed in BSL.

Performances from the current BSL Poet Laureate Kabir Kapoor alongside visual vernacular artist Ishtiaq Hussain will showcase these different types of BSL poetry.

There will also be an opportunity for participants to discuss and share their thoughts about the possible development of a BSL poetry collection at Manchester Poetry Library.

BSL Poem by BSL Poet Laureate Kabir Kapoor who will be performing at the event at Manchester Poetry Library

Dr Oates said: “There’s evidence of signs from the 17^th century that are still used today in BSL but it’s taken a long time for the modern world to accept it as a recognised language, even though it was used in legal situations in the medieval and early modern period. It was only in the 1960s with the introduction of video cameras that linguists presented BSL as a language with grammar, lexicography, its own traditions, and history that can be learned.

“Throughout the 20^th century, there was a trend of trying to supress minority languages and BSL wasn’t valued in Britain with many schools refusing to teach children sign language. Many Deaf people see themselves as a cultural and linguistic minority with their own language and practices. BSL poetry celebrates this and it’s at the heart of the identity of deafness.

“Some BSL poets like Dorothy Miles have been monumental in the development of BSL culture by creating poetry that really showcases the beauty of sign language for the first time. This event will help to champion the history and culture of BSL, giving it the recognition it deserves.”

BSL was officially recognised as a language by the UK government in 2022 – a pivotal milestone which is now commemorated as National BSL Day on April 28. In 2025, BSL is set to be offered as a GCSE subject giving young people the opportunity to learn about the culture of BSL and how to communicate using BSL.

According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), around 12 million people in the UK are Deaf or have hearing loss, and current statistics from the British Deaf Association show around 151,000 people use BSL in the UK and around 87,000 of those are Deaf.