I am starting British Sign Language Level 3 this week. Super excited and a bit nervous as a non-native English speaker and an immigrant. Compared to Level 1 and 2, BSL level 3 will go deeper into Deaf history and culture research.
It’s only earlier this year that I discovered the connection between Deaf history and French Revolution. Apparently, French Revolution is a big moment in Deaf history. It was the first time in history Deaf people were recognised as equal citizens. Signing was accepted as a legitimate language, seen as a natural form of communication. When I first learned about it, I immediately asked a Deaf member at the sign club that I go to every week. He enthusiastically told me lots of stories, mostly about French Deaf people founding Deaf schools during the Revolution (and I soon got lost in all of the finger spelled French names unfortunately). I was fascinated to find so much more to learn, and overjoyed that two of my passionate interests connected.
On Deaf Day back in April, I got the book Signs of Freedom by Paddy Ladd, one of my favourite Deaf authors, and I finally started reading it this month. This is a play he wrote about Deaf history. And here’s French Revolution again:
For the Level 3 exam next spring, I will be making a presentation on Deaf culture or Deaf history. I don’t know what topic I will be assigned yet, but it would be amazing if I can present something related to the French Revolution in sign language!
I’m curious if they will cover the French Revolution from a Deaf studies perspective in my upcoming BSL course. I also wonder if the historians of the tumblr frev community have recommended readings on this topic? Also open to works about disability history more broadly. I would really appreciate any suggestions from the community. Thank you!











