Understanding Indian Sign Language (ISL)

Indian Sign Language is a well-structured and coded gesture language used primarily by the Deaf community in India. Every gesture has a fixed meaning to it, and these gestures collectively form a complete linguistic system, enabling effective communication without the use of spoken words.

Sign Language is the only means of communication for deaf people, and in the context of India, ISL plays a critical role in ensuring inclusive education, employment opportunities, and social interaction for individuals with hearing impairments.

In the past years, there has been an increased interest among researchers in the field of sign language recognition systems, gesture recognition technologies, and AI-based sign language translation.

The Rise of Technology in ISL Recognition

One of which is to introduce means of interaction from human to computer using machine learning models for sign language and human-computer interaction (HCI) technologies. Finding experienced and qualified ISL interpreters in India for their daily communication throughout life is a very difficult task and also unaffordable for many.

Hence, a human-to-computer interaction system for sign language recognition will prove to be a reliable and consistent solution in the future for deaf and hard of hearing people. Many types of research took place in this area that have been carried out for more than twenty years, especially in the fields of assistive technology for disabled people, deaf accessibility tools, and speech-to-sign and sign-to-text conversion systems.

Sign Language: A Fully Accessible Language

Sign Language is the only fully accessible language for deaf persons. It provides equal access to language and information, just as spoken language does for hearing individuals.

Learning Indian Sign Language helps a deaf person connect with other deaf individuals and the larger Deaf community in India. It promotes identity, self-esteem, and cultural belonging among deaf individuals. For a hearing person, learning Sign Language is an entirely different experience. But it is still a great process that results in learning a new language and developing empathy. It enables one to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people in one’s community, promoting inclusion and accessibility.

Sign Language & Orientation:

Learning Indian Sign Language (ISL) is a necessity for a deaf person. This helps him/her connect with other Deaf persons and the larger Deaf community.

However, for a hearing person, learning Sign Language can be a useful tool:

• To communicate with the Deaf Community and,

• To bridge the gap between hearing and deaf people.

There is a growing need for sign language services in India at various public places such as:

• Hospitals (for medical consultations and emergencies),

• Railway stations (for travel assistance),

• Police stations (for FIRs and legal help), and

• The courts during proceedings that involve a deaf person.

There is an increasing number of corporate houses and companies hiring deaf employees to promote diversity and equal opportunity.

Deaf Enabled Foundation, among others, provides an orientation for the Human Resources (HR) personnel of companies that are willing to employ deaf persons. These workshops help bridge the communication gap by familiarizing employers with basic Indian Sign Language and deaf etiquette.

This orientation helps them understand Sign Language culture, removing social stigma and improving workplace inclusion.

Teaching Indian Sign Language (ISL)

These ISL courses in India correspond closely to and are officially recognized in a syllabus for sign language interpreter training programs and were approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) in 2002.

ISL Teaching Materials:

The complete set of ISL teaching materials consists of three courses at:

• The Basic level,

• Advanced, and

• Professional levels (Level A, B, and C).

The first two courses are completed and have been published in (19, 20), and the third level is currently under development.

The team involved in the development of the teaching materials consists of:

• A hearing linguist responsible for the development of the course contents,

• A deaf research assistant responsible for giving the course content in ISL on the teaching video, and

• Several ISL models contributing scripted signed dialogues and freely signed texts to the courses.

All teaching materials are bilingual and are available in ISL and English.

That is, all explanations, instructions, and examples are signed by the deaf assistant, with voiceover and written text added in English for accessibility.

Each course consists of a teaching video and a related workbook.

The units in levels A and B are built around grammatical topics so that all the main grammatical structures of ISL are covered.

It starts from easier and more basic structures to the more difficult ones. For example:

• Wh-questions, negation, and the expression of possession are part of the basic level course.

• Whereas if-clauses and auxiliaries are part of the advanced level course.

  
  

The table below provides a few examples of the structure of the course materials. It is based on some of the units in the level A and the level B courses.

Implementation of Indian Sign Language in educational settings

The course content is a part of the officially recognized syllabus for the Sign Language Interpreter Training Program in India.

Apart from learning actual ISL communication, one of the major achievements of the training program is to change students’ attitudes about sign language and deaf people.

The basic level course starts with a general introduction to sign language.

This introduction consists of a 45-minute signed lecture with an English voiceover and a related printed text in the workbook.

It explains the nature of sign language, its evolution, and the status of Indian Sign Language in India.

Debunking Common Myths about Sign Language

Thus, before students learn their first signs, the most common myths against sign languages are addressed, and the students learn that:

• Sign languages are not the same all over the world.

• They are not just gestures and pantomime but have their own grammar.

• It is not dependent on spoken languages.

• It does not resemble spoken languages used in the same region.

The sign languages are not “languages of the hands” only but use non-manual expressions such as facial expressions, head tilts, and body posture.

It is important to know that Western sign languages (e.g., American Sign Language) are not superior to Indian Sign Language, and that Signed English or other codes are not better than natural sign languages like ISL.

Real-World Impact & Awareness

More important than this theoretical knowledge is the hearing students’ direct contact with an educated deaf person who is their teacher.

For many hearing students:

This is the first time they will encounter a deaf person who is professionally qualified, confident, and “in charge” of the situation.

The slogan that “Deaf people can do it” is practically illustrated in these training sessions. This practical example of deaf empowerment is more powerful than any theoretical instruction.

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