Deaf Awareness Week 2026: Why isn’t English Enough?
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Deaf Awareness Week will be taking place from 4 May to 10 May 2026 and we’re inviting you to pause and reflect on something many people rarely consider: English and British Sign Language (BSL) are not the same language. They are not different modes of the same language and grammar, but entirely different languages. This distinction matters deeply for reasons of inclusion, dignity, and access.
Here, Minna from our accessibility service, tells us more…
It’s understandable that we might assume that in the UK providing information in written English would make it accessible to Deaf people.
But for many Deaf BSL users, written English is a second or even third language.
Understanding this difference, in the first instance, is one of the most powerful steps we can take towards offering a genuine welcome.
Why we capitalise ‘Deaf’
You may notice that in this blog, the word Deaf is sometimes capitalised. This is intentional.
Did you know:
- deaf (lowercase) refers to the audiological condition of not hearing.
- Deaf (capitalised) refers to people who use British Sign Language as their primary language and share a common understanding and world view through this lens.
Capital‑D Deaf people are not simply ‘people who cannot hear’. They are members of a minority language community with its own grammar, humour, storytelling traditions, and identity. Recognising this distinction of people with a capital D for Deaf is a matter of respect.
Did you know that English and BSL are two different languages?
British Sign Language is not ‘English on the hands’. It’s a 3D visual‑spatial language with its own grammar, structure, and way of expressing meaning.
Here are a few key differences:
English relies heavily on word order: “The cat chased the dog” means something very different from “The dog chased the cat”. BSL uses a different structure, often topic-comment. A BSL signer might sign something like: “Dog, cat cat-chase-towards-dog” or “Cat, dog dog-chase‑reverse-direction-towards-cat” (using movement and direction to show who did what).
Meaning is carried by movement, space, facial expression, and direction, not just signs created by hands: In English, tone of voice adds nuance to meaning. In BSL, facial expression, body posture, and eye gaze are grammatical tools. Raised eyebrows can signal a question. A shift of the shoulders can show a change of character. These are not ‘extras’ – they are part of the language. Often people can be surprised and even put off when witnessing these elements of the language. I’d suggest this is simply because they seem so different and unfamiliar to them.
BSL has no written form: Deaf people must try and learn English, a spoken language without being able to hear it. They can’t hear how words sound, or at best have trouble doing so, so they must learn to recognise words. This leaves little scope to scaffold learning based on interpreting context in dialogue.
Research presented to the UK parliament on 15 May 2019 stated that, even now, most Deaf children are leaving school with a reading age below that of their hearing peers.
This is why providing information in written English does not guarantee understanding and access. It’s the equivalent of giving English‑only materials to someone whose first language is Polish, Urdu, or Arabic. Some will manage. Many will struggle. And some will miss crucial information entirely.
Why BSL interpreters are essential
As BSL and English are different languages, professional interpreters are not a luxury. They’re a necessity.
Interpreters ensure:
- Accuracy: Medical, legal, pastoral, and safeguarding information must be understood clearly.
- Dignity: Adults should not have to rely on family members to interpret sensitive conversations.
- Participation: Interpreters allow Deaf people to contribute fully, not just observe.
- Equality: Access to services is a right, not a favour.
Without linguistic access, many Deaf people are physically present but linguistically excluded. A massive barrier to accessing BSL interpreters is funding as there is not usually any funding provision for BSL interpreters outside the Access to Work scheme (Government support to help disabled people stay employed).
Interpreters come at a price. They are highly skilled in English, BSL and translation. It usually takes at least seven years to train as an interpreter, and you need to have university level skills in each of the three areas.
Small gestures make a big difference
While interpreters are essential for full communication, everyday inclusion does not depend solely on professionals. Small, thoughtful gestures from hearing people can transform a Deaf person’s experience.
Here are simple ways to show a welcome, which we can all do:
- Learn a few basic signs: Even a handful of signs – hello, thank you, sorry, tea, welcome – communicates warmth and effort. You don’t need to be fluent to show that you care.
- Use natural gestures: Pointing, miming, and using your hands are not rude to Deaf people. They are helpful. A gesture toward a chair, a smile, or a ‘thumbs‑up’ can bridge gaps.
- Make sure your face is visible: Because facial expression carries meaning in BSL, good lighting and eye contact matter. Avoid speaking while looking down or turning away.
- Slow down and be patient: Communication is a shared responsibility. A moment of patience can make someone feel valued rather than burdensome. Take notice in group conversations. Deaf people can’t follow the chain of dialogue without visual cues.
- Don’t shout. It doesn’t help: Shouting does not make English more accessible. Clear gestures, writing things down when appropriate, or seeking an interpreter are far more effective.
One other thing to note…
British hearing culture encourages us from a young age to say “please” and “thank you” frequently as a matter of politeness. (As a Deaf person however, I think this is sometimes too much!). In British hearing culture, “please” and “thank you” shows good manners and respect, and if we don’t follow these rules, it is often perceived as rudeness. In Deaf culture however, politeness is shaped by the visual nature of communication for example, making good eye contact, using clear facial expressions, getting someone’s attention respectfully, and being open and direct (something that is not naturally part of British hearing culture).
Deaf culture often values clarity over softening language, so being straightforward isn’t rude, it’s respectful. British Sign Language does have a sign that means both “please” and “thank you” but using “please” and/or “thank you” too much in BSL can sometimes feel a bit unnatural or overly formal. As with many Deaf people, I am often misunderstood as being impolite. Similarly, as a Deaf person, I must work hard to remember if I’m communicating with a person who would expect a please/thank you in an overt way. Learning about each other’s differences helps us understand that politeness can look different and be perceived differently across cultures – and that’s something worth learning and celebrating.
Building a church where everyone belongs
Inclusion is not an optional extra — it’s a Gospel imperative. Jesus meets people where they are and communicates in ways they understand upholding dignity through presence and relationship.
Deaf Awareness Week reminds us that true inclusion requires more than good intentions. It requires understanding of the day-to-day reality of Deaf people, valuing BSL as a full language, and ensuring that our services, parishes, and ministries are accessible in meaningful ways.