The Economics of Language
Sign Languages and Inclusion
How Indian Sign Language supports deaf people's education and work, why the lack of interpreters is costly, and steps like the ISLRTC dictionary.
Sign languages are full languages used by deaf people.
Indian Sign Language
- Indian Sign Language (ISL) is used across India with regional variations.
- The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) was set up in 2015.
- It released an ISL dictionary with thousands of terms.
Barriers
- Few interpreters relative to need.
- Many deaf children lack schooling in sign language.
Economic costs
Without access, deaf people face lower education and employment, a loss to them and the economy.
Progress
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 promotes sign language.
- NEP 2020 encourages ISL in schools.
- Some news broadcasts add interpreters.
Business
Firms that train staff in basic ISL and hire deaf workers widen their talent pool.
The café
A café chain hires deaf staff and puts sign charts on menus, so customers order by pointing and signing.
Thinking sign language is just gestures
It's a full language with grammar.
Key takeaways
- ISL is a full language.
- ISLRTC was set up in 2015.
- Few interpreters limit access.
- Inclusion benefits people and the economy.
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