British Sign Language (BSL)
British Sign Language is a full language, with it's own grammar but made up
from a mixture of hand signs, the BSL alphabet, movement and facial expression.
It is the 4th official language of the UK, recognised by the Government in 2003.
Profoundly deaf people are likely to use BSL as their first language and find it hard to write and sometimes speak in English because the grammar is very different. However, hard of hearing and fully hearing people can learn the language and learn to communicate quite easily.
The BSL Fingerspelling Alphabet (pictured here) is a start and can be learned very easily. Fingerspelling is used to spell out names and other words for which there is no sign, but BSL is best learned by going to classes.
In Jersey, the Hearing Resource Centre (HRC) is the venue for the BSL classes but you can find out more about the cost and times from Highlands Adult Learning Centre at the Philip Mourant Centre, Trinity. Their phone number is 861252.