Free Online Resources for BSL, ASL, and International Sign

On International Day of Sign Languages, we celebrate the diversity and richness of sign languages worldwide. These languages, each with its own grammar and culture, offer a unique way to communicate.

Whether you're interested in British Sign Language (BSL), American Sign Language (ASL), or the increasingly useful International Sign (IS), now is a great time to start stretching your fingers. 

Here’s a guide to free resources that make learning sign language easy and accessible.

1. British Sign Language (BSL)

British Sign Language is the sign language of the Deaf community in the UK. With a history of more than 200 years, BSL has its own unique vocabulary and grammar, different from spoken English. 

Free Learning Resource:

• LumoTV– A leading platform for fresh, inclusive content that showcases and celebrates Deaf culture and the sign language community.
  Explore LumoTV
• British-Sign.co.uk – An online resource including a free online BSL Dictionary, a signing course and guide to fingerspelling. With videos included, this is a great way to learn the basics at your own pace.
  Visit the BSL Dictionary
• National Deaf Children’s Society – As of the leading Deaf charities in the UK, they have put together a glossary of videos that help individuals and families connect with BSL.  
  Visit the NSCS's website

2. American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL is one of the most widely used sign languages, primarily in the United States and parts of Canada. Although there are some similarities to BSL, it’s not mutually intelligible with it.

Free Learning Resource:

• Start ASL – A free  beginners course that includes lessons on basic vocabulary, grammar, and fingerspelling. There are paid course options
  Start Learning ASL
• ASL University (Lifeprint) – Free ASL lessons covering various levels of difficulty, including video demonstrations and tips on grammar and sentence construction. It’s a fantastic, no-cost resource for learners. Also on YouTube!
  Learn with Lifeprint

3. International Sign (IS)

While not officially a sign language, International Sign is used primarily in international settings, such as conferences and events where Deaf people from different countries come together. 

It serves as a lingua franca (fancy way to say bridge language) that allows for communication across language barriers and an increasingly invaluable tool for cross-cultural conversation.

Free Learning Resource:

• World Federation of the Deaf (WEF) – A variety of compilation videos can be found on the WFD’s youtube showcasing International Sign. 
  WFD 100 signs of IS
• IS 101 – This Medium post gives a great overview to International Sign with links to more information. 
  Tyler Pugeda’s IS post
   

Charity Check-in

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article. 

RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People). This charity supports people in the UK who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have tinnitus. They advocate for accessibility, BSL recognition, and Deaf awareness. Find out more.

British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT). Operating as LumoTV, this charity commissions television programmes that highlight the deaf and sign language communities. Learn more here. 

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). This is an international NGO representing Deaf people worldwide. They promote the use of national sign languages and advocate for human rights and linguistic equality. Support them here.

This article aligns with the UN Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities.