Tehran – It is observed annually on September 23rd, International Sign Language Day. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the realization of human rights.
This year, this day is commemorated under the theme of “no sign language rights, no human rights.” This day is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identities and cultural diversity of all deaf and other sign language users. All people have an inherent right to human rights from birth.
For the deaf, sign language rights are fundamental for the full enjoyment of human rights, as defined by the universal declaration of human rights.
According to the World Federation of Hearing Impaired, there are over 70 million people with hearing impairment all over the world. Over 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use over 300 different signs.
A proxy language is a completely inflated natural language that is structurally distinct from a speech language. There is also international sign language. It is used by deaf and informal people in travel and socializing. This is considered a pidine form of sign language that is less complicated than natural sign language and has limited lexicons.
Iranian sign language is recognized as the official language for people with hearing impairments. Therefore, welfare organizations take measures such as assisting in sending sign language interpreters and training interpreters, allowing hearing impaired individuals to benefit from interpretation services on court appearances and visits such as other official bodies.
Over the past Iranian years (March 2024 to March 2025), a total of 9,000 interpreters supported the deaf. Welfare organizations are planning to help deaf and hard-working people use smart sign language translators without the need for interpreters to be physically present, the IRNA reported.
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