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Amongla Ao, Co-founder/ Administrator,
Deaf Biblical Ministry, Dimapur.
Sign language is a vital form of communication for the Deaf community worldwide. In Nagaland, it has a rich and evolving history, influenced by cultural, social, and educational developments. The foundation for sign language in Nagaland was laid in 1987 with the establishment of Deaf Biblical Ministry (DBM) in Dimapur by Rev. and Mrs. Yanger Walling. This marked the first time American Sign Language (ASL) was introduced to the deaf community in Nagaland which later became their mother tongue.
In those days, there were two prevailing schools of thought in India regarding the language for the deaf. One was Oralism, which restricted the deaf to using only speech, with the use of sign language being discouraged or outright banned in schools. Amidst this, the Deaf Biblical Ministry (DBM) was one of the few establishments that advocated for the use of sign language, arguing that it is the birthright and natural language of the deaf community.
Role of DBM in formation of Sign Language in India
From the mid 1980s to the late 1990s, DBM played a crucial role in bringing to the attention of policymakers that deaf people in India have the right to choose their own mode of communication, which is sign language. After a long struggle, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, India finally acknowledged that sign language is the natural language for the deaf. This recognition marked a significant shift in attitudes towards sign language. The acceptance of sign language as a legitimate language, coupled with growing advocacy from the deaf community and experts, led to renewed interest in the development of a new language which came to be known as Indian Sign Language (ISL).
Despite the dominance of Oralism, researchers and educators began working on a common sign language for the deaf in India. They started documenting and studying the signs used by the deaf community across different regions, laying the foundation for the standardisation of ISL. During this time, Rev. Yanger Walling, representing DBM, was a member of the General Council (Apex body) of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and DBM played a major role in its foundational work.
Recognising the need for a standard sign language in the country, they sought to unify the various regional sign languages and introduce them to states where no sign language was in use. To achieve this, they began collecting regional variations of sign language from across the country. During that time, the deaf people in Nagaland, had already been using American Sign language (ASL) as their mother tongue. Thus DBM contributed thousands of their Signs towards its research and development. In due course of time, a common sign language which was named as Indian Sign Language (ISL) came into being.
American Sign Language (ASL)
In Nagaland, the use of American Sign Language (ASL) began long before Indian Sign Language (ISL) was developed. ISL is a relatively new language for the deaf community in India. ASL on the other hand, has a history spanning over 300 years. The Naga deaf community felt that while ISL is still in its developmental stage with a limited vocabulary and signs, ASL is a vast and rich language. ISL still has significant regional variations and despite its rapid growth, is still in its infancy compared to the well-established ASL. Thus they continue ASL/NSL as their mother tongue and ISL as their second language.
Nagaland Sign Language (NSL)
For nearly 40 years, the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in Nagaland has been profoundly shaped by the state's cultural, social, religious and educational developments. As ASL adapted to the unique identity of the Naga people and their culture, a significant variation emerged. Today, the deaf community in Nagaland can proudly say that their mother tongue is now NSL (Naga Sign Language), a distinct variation of ASL.
Present scenario in Nagaland
Although the Government of India has announced plans to standardise Indian Sign Language (ISL) nationwide, there is still a long way to go. While many states in India claim to use ISL and share the same alphabet, there are significant and persistent variations between them, with each state and region asserting that their version of ISL signs is the correct one.
Both the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (PwD Act, 2016) state that Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardised across the country, which means that ISL should be unified across the country rather than divided by regional variations as it currently is. Both the NEP 2020 and the PwD Act 2016 emphasise the importance of respecting local languages. Neither of them in any way discourages the use of local languages.
Unfortunately, in Nagaland, there is significant misunderstanding and confusion among hearing individuals now that both ASL and NSL are known as local languages, and ISL is referred to as the primary language. Many mistakenly believe that using Indian Sign Language (ISL) is the only accepted method, discouraging the use of our unique mother tongue. However, it’s crucial for them to understand the history, culture and rights of the Naga deaf community. We must not forget that the purpose of creating ISL was to foster a common language across the country while still respecting each community's unique identity and mother tongue.
Conclusion
People often advocate for accessibility for persons with disabilities, but what does accessibility mean for the deaf? It means having access to the sign language that is of their heart language. If we truly care about the deaf community, we must make ourselves and society accessible to them by respecting their right to choose their own language. Sign languages are deeply rooted in the culture and identity of deaf communities in every city, state, region and country. By respecting the local sign language, you not only honour their culture but also break down barriers and promote inclusivity within the community.
Is it right to deliver a message in a language they cannot understand just to be 'politically correct'? In Nagaland, we (the hearing community) use English and Nagamese as our common languages in offices. How would we feel if we were suddenly told to speak only Hindi in our schools and workplaces? Would we remain silent? Absolutely not! We would stand up for our rights.
Similarly, if we insist on using only a specific sign language simply because it is the primary language, and deliver information in a language they do not understand disregarding their needs, are we not becoming oppressors rather than protectors of the deaf community? Are we genuinely making our world accessible for the deaf?
On this Sign Language Day, I urge everyone in Nagaland to open their eyes, and with genuine empathy, commit to supporting and promoting the use of the sign language that resonates with the heart of the deaf community in Nagaland.