International Day of Sign Languages

The  International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated every year on 23 September along with International Week of the Deaf. The choice of 23 September is the same date that the World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951. 

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Highlighting the unity generated by sign languages.

On this 2024 edition of the International Day of Sign Languages, the world will highlight the unity generated by sign languages.

The country leaders - whether Prime Ministers, Presidents, other government officials, members of parliaments, members of city council - should sign this year’s theme “Sign up for Sign Language Rights” in their national sign language.

Join the Global Leaders Challenge!

For more information about this challenge, please click here.

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The syntax of Greek split reciprocals.

We provide the first detailed description and analysis of the syntax of the understudied Greek split reciprocal reconstruction. As in other languages, the reciprocal appears to be bipartite consisting of a quantificational distributor (‘the one’) and a reciprocator (‘the other’). We show that, in Greek, this bipartiteness runs deep: the two parts are syntactically independent, with the reciprocator having the syntax of a Condition A anaphor, and the distributor behaving as a floating quantifier. Once we turn to how these elements establish relations between themselves and their antecedent, we find that Greek reciprocals resist a movement- or Agree-based analysis, since both elements can occur in positions inaccessible to movement/Agree. Given that the reciprocator can occur in embedded subject position, the Greek data also argue against recent attempts to reduce the binding domain to phases, instead supporting a more traditional definition of the binding domain in terms of the smallest XP containing the anaphor and a subject. Finally, we show that the morphosyntactic properties of the bipartite construction can be connected to independent properties of its two component parts and that these can, in turn, be related to interpretive aspects of reciprocity.

The syntax of Greek split reciprocals

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A head movement analysis of second position clitics: The case of Russian polar particle li.

Russian polar particle li is usually analyzed as a second position clitic, constrained to appear at the linearly second position in the clause. I suggest that this requirement is a consequence of head movement: li is generated in ∑—a polarity projection—merged directly above the associated polar constituent (X). This constituent must head-move and left-adjoin to li. The complex head (X+li) is largely equivalent to a wh-word: at later stages of the derivation, it is attracted to the left periphery of the clause. li can be seen as an analog of a wh-morpheme, which merges with different morphemes to form a wh-word. Treating X+li as a complex head allows us to reduce the second position requirement of li to the left edge requirement on the X+li, a requirement often postulated for wh-words. I provide further evidence for the ∑ hypothesis by showing the complementarity of li and negation.

A head movement analysis of second position clitics: The case of Russian polar particle li.

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Cross-clausal scrambling and subject case in Balkar: On multiple specifiers and the locality of overt and covert movement.

We use fieldwork data about cross-clausal scrambling in Balkar (Turkic) to clarify the nature of movement and its constraints. Balkar has a variety of embedded nominalized clauses, with different subject cases and possibilities for movement. Clauses with nominative (nom) subjects permit cross-clausal object extraction but not subject extraction. In contrast, clauses with accusative subjects permit both such movements, although movement of the subject is required for object extraction. Finally, clauses with genitive subjects permit only subject extraction. We argue that these facts provide evidence for the following proposals: (i) multiple specifiers are usually possible provided that tucking-in applies; (ii) the highest of a phase's multiple specifiers is privileged for accessibility; (iii) movement is constrained by anti-locality (a ban on short movements); and (iv) Balkar DPs do not permit multiple specifiers. These factors are intertwined informatively in Balkar, and are supported by additional facts about possessors, binding, and covert movement.

Cross‐clausal scrambling and subject case in Balkar: On multiple specifiers and the locality of overt and covert movement

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Movement in disguise: Morphology as a diagnostic for verb movement in Algonquian.

This paper argues for a unification of two seemingly unrelated phenomena from unrelated language families: Verb Second in Germanic, and Conjunct versus Independent Order in Algonquian. It is argued that both reflect the possibility of the verb moving to C. While in Germanic this results in word order differences, in Algonquian V-to-C movement is detectable only via morphological alternations in agreement morphology. Under this view, Conjunct/Independent agreement and V2 are merely distinct reflexes of the same underlying process. This opens up new avenues of research in relation to V-to-C movement, framing it as a parametric option with potentially very different surface results in different languages depending on the setting of other parameters.

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Verb echo answers and ellipsis operations: A reply to Sato and Hayashi.

Recent research suggests that verb echo answers (VEAs) to a polar question in Japanese are derived by sluicing: the V head moves to C, and the complement of C, TP, undergoes deletion, stranding the verbal complex in C. Two pieces of evidence are provided for the view: adjunct inclusive interpretation and voice mismatch, neither of which is conclusive, as shown here. One consequence of the sluicing analysis is that VEAs reverse scope. We show that the semantic shift has nothing to do with the scope reversal. Our conclusion is that VEAs are unambiguously derived by multiple applications of argument ellipsis. We also advance an alternative explanation of the obligatory wide scope for focus phrases.

Verb echo answers and ellipsis operations: A reply to Sato and Hayashi (2018)

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EXHIBIT "Signs of compassion" - Explore different modes of expression through sign language and Braille.

Signs of compassion, an interactive exhibit in the UNHQ Visitor Lobby, highlights inclusion and accessibility. It allows you to explore different modes of expression through sign language and Braille.

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Sign languages unite us! 

The International Day of Sign Languages is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users. During the 2023 celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages, the world will once again highlight the unity generated by our sign languages. Deaf communities, governments and civil society organizations maintain their collective efforts - hand in hand - in fostering, promoting and recognizing national sign languages as part of their countries’ vibrant and diverse linguistic landscapes. 

International Day of Sign Languages 2023; September 23

The International Day of Sign Languages is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all

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Participate to the celebration of the International Week of Deaf People 2023.

Theme for the International Day of Sign Language 2023 is ''A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!''

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Building Inclusive Deaf Communities.

We end this International Week of Deaf People by highlighting the many ways in which our communities represent the broad array of diverse human experiences to be found across the globe. Deaf people are everywhere, and represented in every national, cultural, linguistic and ethnic group. This is a strength of our communities. Today, the WFD calls upon our deaf communities to recognize and take specific actions to ensure our communities are inclusive of all deaf people.

▸Sunday 24 September: Building Inclusive Deaf Communities.

International Week of Deaf People 2023 International Day of Sign Languages 2023 #IWDP & #IDSL Theme for 2023: A World Where Deaf People Ever

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A world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere.

Today, we share the WFD’s vision of a world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere. A world where deaf people are seen as a part of the natural range of human diversity, and national sign languages are celebrated and used everywhere as part of national societies. The WFD calls upon all governments to take measures to ensure at least 50% of their children and youth know their national sign languages, as a step towards building societies in which deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere.

International Week of Deaf People 2023 International Day of Sign Languages 2023 #IWDP & #IDSL Theme for 2023: A World Where Deaf People Ever

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Achieving Sign Language Rights for All.

The legal recognition of national sign languages is an important step towards achieving basic human rights for all deaf people.  60% of State Parties to the CRPD still have not achieved legal recognition of their national sign languages.  Legal recognition is a process that allows for greater awareness of deaf people's linguistic and cultural rights and paves the way for social change.  Today, we encourage the sharing of stories of what the legal recognition of sign languages has meant for you and your communities.

Friday 22 September: Achieving Sign Language Rights for All.

International Week of Deaf People 2023 International Day of Sign Languages 2023 #IWDP & #IDSL Theme for 2023: A World Where Deaf People Ever

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Putting Deaf People on the Agenda.

Thursday 21 September: Putting Deaf People on the Agenda

Deaf communities worldwide work to ensure policies and programs which reflect the lived realities of deaf people's lives. Today we call upon national governments, international institutions, research centres, and policymaking bodies to centre deaf people in their work. There is still a significant lack of data on deaf people’s lives and less on the right to use national sign languages. Today we highlight the research done on deaf lives to date and call for more disaggregated data collection and monitoring of deaf people and sign languages.

International Week of Deaf People 2023 International Day of Sign Languages 2023 #IWDP & #IDSL Theme for 2023: A World Where Deaf People Ever

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Realising "Nothing Without Us."

Position Paper on the primacy of deaf people in the development and teaching of national sign languages - WFD

The WFD has been contacted by our Ordinary Members about the issue of hearing people taking the place of deaf people by teaching sign langua

Deaf communities are experts on deaf lives. CRPD Article 4.3 makes it clear that governments have an obligation to consult with organisations of deaf people on all matters related to deaf people.  The WFD believes that this principle is also applicable to other projects and activities. Representative deaf organisations must be involved from the beginning in all projects and initiatives to do with deaf people and sign languages. On this day, highlight your collaboration with deaf communities! 

▸Wednesday 20 September: Realising “Nothing Without Us”

Read the Position Paper on the primacy of deaf people in the development and teaching of national sign languages.

International Week of Deaf People 2023 International Day of Sign Languages 2023 #IWDP & #IDSL Theme for 2023: A World Where Deaf People Ever

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Building capacity across the world.

Around the world, millions of deaf people still lack access to basic human rights.  The WFD has inaugurated a 60 Country Project with the aim of building capacities in deaf communities across the globe, particularly in the 60+ UN Member States which do not have national associations of deaf people.  Join us in supporting deaf communities in these countries by hosting awareness-raising events on deaf lives around the world in your local communities, by supporting deaf communities in the global south, and by donating to the WFD’s work at here.

Tuesday 19 September: Building Capacity Across the Globe

International Week of Deaf People 2023 International Day of Sign Languages 2023 #IWDP & #IDSL Theme for 2023: A World Where Deaf People Ever

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Declaration on the right of the deaf children.

At the WFD's XXI General Assembly in South Korea, our members approved the Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children. Today we call upon global communities to showcase how they are working to achieve these rights.  You can share videos on social media, and host seminars and events highlighting these rights, and what remains to achieve these rights for every deaf child.  The WFD invites everyone to declare their support for this Declaration and signing their names to this Declaration. 

Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children At the WFD's XXI General Assembly in South Korea, our members approved the Declaration on the Rig

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"Building Inclusive Communities for All," International Week of Deaf People 2022

International Week of Deaf People starts today! With a theme "Building Inclusive Communities for All," #IWDP reminds us of the importance of unity.