Celebrating sign language |26 September 2020
Deaf person of the year Chanel Alphonse
September 23 is the International Day of Sign Language and is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
The theme of the 2020 International Week of the Deaf is ‘Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights’.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Deaf Association of Seychelles could not celebrate the day on the scale of previous years but nevertheless, it still organised a few activities such as going to town and handing leaflets about the hearing impaired.
Anita Gardner, chairperson of the association, also noted that International Day for Sign language is very important as it puts sign language at the forefront of the discussion.
She added that sign language is the maternal language that most deaf people use to communicate, which is why it is important that people in their lives learn the language in order to communicate better.
“We offer free sign language classes every Saturday and we also provide the Seychellois sign language dictionary,” said Mrs Gardner.
She added that the association is taking extra steps to make sign language the fourth national language.
The association also rewarded the ones who have been an exemplary role models in the deaf community.
Deaf person of the year went to Chanel Alphonse, an artist who recently designed the 250 anniversary logo that was displayed at State House. He is also an active member in the deaf association as he helped renovate the centre for the hearing impaired.
Best youth went to Calvin Morel who is a young teacher at the school for the deaf. He has been active in the renovation of the centre for the deaf and he shone during the Covid-19 as he offered his help to interpret in various press conferences.
Samuel Morel won best student and he is described as being a promising artist and an even better dancer.
Best volunteer award was given to Diana Jean, a parent of a deaf child who is active in fundraising and the renovation of the centre for the deaf.
While sign languages are structurally different from spoken language, they are full-fledged natural languages as well. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities acknowledges and encourages the use of sign languages and recognises the fact that sign languages are equal in status to spoken languages.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people around the world with more than 80 percent of them living in developing countries. As per World Federation of the Deaf data, there are more than 300 different sign languages being used around the world.
Christophe Zialor
