South African Sign Language - 12th Official Language

I have been interpreting for the Deaf since 1997 in the old British Sign Language and recently completed my Level 2 SLED Certificate. I have just been to Vietnam to the Teahouse in Hoi An at reachingoutvietnam.com and could speak to a Vietnamese deaf waitress. Sign Language is an Universal language and all hearing people should speak it. Most of my best friends are deaf! What an amazing culture/people.

Yes South African Sign Language must be a 12 official language in South Africa.

I take it as my responsibility to take part and to support this initiative as it represent all of us the Deaf people in SA.

Sign language needs to be the 12 official language

SASL is a fully fledged language and deserves the same status as all the other official languages of South Africa!!

I have a brother-in-law who is deaf and would like to help the deaf community achieve their goals.

Why did you sign this petition?The deaf people also a right in a
democratic country.

I believe that deaf people should also have a voice in this country and should be recognised as the sign language is their sole way of communication, much like any other language.

Communication via any media possible is a basic need for all human beings and should be honoured and respected by all.

To show my support in making sign language the 12th official language in South Africa and to promote awareness for people living with the disability and to integrate them with in the society.

South African Sign Language is widely used and is primary and sole form of communication used by the Deaf community of South Africa!

I love Sasl and this is wrong

Because I think making it an official language will enable people in school to learn it and that would help a lot when it comes to those who are deaf. They would be able to attend any school in their area.

It will encourage public speakers to ensure that interpreters are always used to communicate their messages to the hearing disabled. This will eventually filter through to the entire community and include churches, sports stadiums, etc.

I have learnt sign language and feel strongly that we should be inclusive of all.

I strongly believe in being inclusive and by not including the deaf language we are as a nation being selective and exclusive.

I have a deaf daughter, who is now fully fluent in SASL and ASL as her primary means of communication. She was and still is at a serious disadvantage in this country. She is now busy with her doctoral studies at a university in the USA. Things are so much better there in terms of sign language being much more available.

Hello, I am Theni Yalwa. I am 25 year old hearing woman from the Vaal Triangle. I have always been intrigued by sign language from when Dtv was aired on SABC3 I believe it still is just the timing is awkward for me. I just never really understood why is it so hard to get classes to learn yet alone TV programs and kids shows. I mean really a box on the side for the news or some national issue is not enough. I have met deaf people before but I would like to be able to communicate with one. After all we are all human its like deaf people or people with disabilities exist in the world but exist in their world but they exist. I never understood that. Yes I do not know enough about the deaf community but imagine a day where you could walk in a bank and it was standard to have a translator and you go home. So what if there are many dialects we will get to that part. At the end of the day information and being an activist can solve one problem.Hope the petition can spark more than change and money too. Take care hope one day I will do more than just sign a petition but it is a start. GOOD LUCK.

I will learn computer

For recognition and promotion of Deaf rights.

It is only fair for a language to get full recognition. I want it to be taught at some level in school as well so that the deaf community can be fully understood.

Best sign languages is right

its a beautiful language that shouldn't go unnoticed. :-)