VIDEO: Local rugby player teaches us some basics of sign language
For the last decade, many who are deaf and hard of hearing have been advocating for the recognition of sign language as an official language.
IN what was a historic moment in South Africa’s history, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the South African Sign Language Bill during a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
This now means that South African Sign Language (SASL) is the 12th official language in the country.
The signing of the bill into law follows an intensive and extensive public-consultation process.
For the last decade, many who are deaf and hard of hearing have been advocating for the recognition of sign language as an official language, including Durban North resident and South African Deaf Rugby player, Mark Barnard.
Barnard, who teaches at Fulton School for the Deaf, said he believes that recognising SASL as an official language is going to change deaf people’s lives.
“It is hugely exciting and an emotional moment for many in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This is also just a start because there is a practical side of things in increasing and improving accessibility across our society. My hope is that this will encourage people to learn the basics of sign language. Being able to communicate with someone is a huge privilege.
“The more hearing adults we can get to learn sign language the better. We must also recognise that sign language is an amazing language. You can use it in situations where you cannot use any other language. So many of the Deaf community, especially adults, feel alienated from society. In order to improve accessibility and promote Ubuntu to the almost half a million sign language users, I urge the hearing community to learn some sign,” he said.
The 32-year-old, who is profoundly deaf and plays his rugby for the Crusaders Rugby Club thirds, said he is looking forward to representing the Deaf rugby team at the upcoming Jozi 10s tournament.
He also sees his journey in the sport as a way to raise deaf awareness as well as inspire others like him to take up the sport.
“When I began playing rugby at school level, I always played in hearing teams. I started looking for others like me, and that’s when I discovered the South African Deaf Rugby Association. I know first-hand the difficulties facing the Deaf community, and I find people connect best when we have something in common. I would love to see Deaf Rugby become a vehicle to spread Deaf awareness and culture. If I could inspire deaf children to take up rugby as a sport, that would be absolutely amazing,” he said.
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