Two More Countries Recognize Sign Language as Official Language
Israeli Sign Language, ISL, has been declared an official language in Israel. This makes them the 82nd country to recognize sign language as an official language. A bill proposed by the Knesset plenum was unanimously approved with 34 votes and 0 in opposition. The bill states: “Sign language is a rich and unique language that enables a deaf person to communicate and express themselves in their natural language, shared and inclusive for all.” As a consequence, Israel must now preserve, develop, and promote the language alongside Hebrew, their official spoken language.
Israel is not the only country making significant progress in this area. Ghana also has plans to recognize Ghanaian Sign Language, GSL, as its 13th official language. The Minister of Education said, “One of the things for which I want to be remembered is that Ghana currently has 12 official languages. I want to make sign language the 13th and make it mandatory as part of our reach to persons with disability.”
Ghana’s upcoming recognition is particularly notable. It’s impressive that the country already has 12 official languages, and I’m very happy to see sign language included on this list soon. It is not only about recognizing it as an official language, but about making it mandatory so that Deaf people are on a more equal level. Consequently, Deaf people can be fully integrated into the education system without any communication barriers. GSL will be taught in schools. Interpreters will be integrated into public services.
Looking beyond these countries, language deprivation is a huge issue amongst the Deaf community worldwide. In the United States, where American Sign Language (ASL) is not recognized as an official language, many Deaf schools have been shut down over the years due to budget cuts and an upward trend toward mainstream education, which means placing students in public schools, sometimes without Deaf programs. Deaf students may or may not have access to ASL in these mainstreamed settings.
On a personal note, as a Deaf person myself, I grew up mainstreamed in the public school system with no ASL, and that definitely impacted how I navigated through school, my grades, life, and my career now. Having learned ASL on my own and with Deaf peers at a young adult age, I understand the struggle of not feeling included and not being able to fully express myself.
Recognition of sign language as official by Israel and Ghana is more than policy—it’s a crucial step toward full societal inclusion for Deaf communities, giving them equal opportunities and validating their language.
Now the question becomes:
Will the United States take this step and recognize ASL, affirming Deaf people’s right to full participation and inclusion? That would be a transformative moment.
Feature photo credit: SHVETS Production
