International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September. The theme of the year 2022 was “Sign Language Unite Us.” Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages – structurally distinct from the spoken languages – that use gestures or symbols to communicate.
Background: In 2017, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 23 as the official day to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages. The date commemorates the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951.
Objective: To protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
