MP calls for Sign Language awareness on European Day of Languages

12.01.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 27th Sep 2007

British Sign Language (BSL) is one of over 200 languages spoken by EU citizens and being promited on the European Day of languages 26th Deptember)

On the European Day of Languages (26th September) Malcolm Bruce MP, has joined forces with the charity RNID to celebrate British Sign Language (BSL) and to call for greater promotion and protection of the language.

Mr Bruce who is the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Deafness, is calling on more businesses and workplaces to support BSL in any way they can from offering basic sign language classes for their employees to supporting BSL interpreting students through the offer of placements and shadowing opportunities.

Speaking, the Liberal Democrat MP said:

"I am delighted that I will soon be welcoming an Interpreting student from the City Lit Deaf Studies Degree course to shadow me in Parliament. As part of their studies, it is important for students to observe a range of generic workplace settings, where no deaf people or interpreters work so they can gain an understanding of how BSL support can be beneficial.

"With a chronic shortage of BSL interpreters in the UK compared to neighbouring European countries, particularly in Scandinavia, it is important to encourage more people to take up an interest in learning BSL.

"Today, on the European Day of languages, I am promoting BSL as one of over 200 indigenous languages used by European citizens. The day aims to encourage Europeans to take up new languages not only to improve professional relationships and opportunities but more importantly to increase cultural awareness and understanding of different European communities.

"I am asking people to begin at home and try to consider taking up BSL which as a British language has so much to offer. The Welsh Assembly is trailblazing in training more BSL interpreters. I hope England, Scotland and N Ireland will soon follow suit."

RNID has warned that the chronic shortage of sign language interpreters means less than one qualified interpreter is available for every 100 British Sign Language users which is denying deaf people access to basic services and support.

Katherine Phipps, RNID's director of communication services, said:

"From 999 emergencies to job interviews, interpreters provide a vital link for users of British Sign Language, many of whom don't learn English as their first language. For the UK's 50,000 sign language users, access to fully trained interpreters is a vital lifeline."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The European Day of Languages falls on annually on 26th September. It was established by the Council of Europe in conjunction with the European Union in 2001. Further information about the European Day of Languages is available from the website: www.ecml.at/edl

Related Link:

European Day of Languages.