29/04/2022
On 27 April, I reflected on attitudes towards British Sign Language following the recognition of BSL as a language of England, Scotland and Wales. I am pleased that at last BSL has stopped being referred to as a “nuisance” language, a “baby language” or countless other negative words since Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837. Back then was a period of real repression of feeling, especially sexual feeling. During this era the use of gestures, for example basic body language, was demeaned and forbidden and therefore the use of BSL was considered rude for the hearing society. So, during the 1870s, deaf people themselves were encouraged to use fingerspelling in English order instead. This was in the time prior to Milan!
I recently wrote about Rev. Arnold Hill Payne, CODA and a member of the British Deaf and Dumb Association (now the British Deaf Association, BDA). He was also arguably the number one BSL campaigner for the Deaf community during the early 20th century. Payne died on 22 April 1956 and was buried on 27 April, 66 years ago to the day of the BSL Act receiving official recognition as a language. In my period of reflection I wonder if Payne was somehow part of this given the significance of the date. I like to think that Payne’s spirit rose to continue to campaign and support the British deaf people, especially so on 27 April 2022, the anniversary of his spirit rising some might say… spine-tingling! Whether you believe or not I shall visit his grave once again to say “Thank you” to him in BSL.
Peter R Brown
