Interesting Read - Sign Language and New Space Words

Astronomy group adds new space words to sign language dictionary 



Image 1: There are many different ways to sign the word "astronomy." Here are the signs for the word "astronomy" in different languages from around the world. Photo from: International Astronomical Union

Sign language for the stars: New signs for concepts in astronomy

By Atlas Obscura, adapted by Newsela staff

01/04/2018

How did the universe begin? Close your hands tightly into fists and line them up in front of you. Then throw them out to your sides with your fingers outstretched. The motion should look like this:
Image 2: This is the sign for "Big Bang," in French sign language. It combines the signs for "universe" and "explosion." Photo from the International Astronomical Union.
Image 2: This is the sign for "Big Bang," in French sign language. It combines the signs for "universe" and "explosion." Photo from the International Astronomical Union.

If you've done it, you've answered the question. You just said "Big Bang" in French Sign Language! The Big Bang was a huge explosion that gave birth to space and time. Scientists think it happened 13.82 billion years ago.

47 Common Space Signs

The International Astronomical Union is a group of astronomers from around the world. This group is called the IAU for short. Over the last six years, members collected space-related signs from different sign languages. Earlier this month, the group announced a list of 47 common ones. Each one is translated in up to 31 other sign languages. Portuguese, Russian and Finnish are among the languages.
The project was inspired by a French Sign Language (LSF) astronomy dictionary. The dictionary is called "Les mains dans les étoiles." This name means "Hand in the Stars" in English. The guide collects about 300 French signs for different terms in astronomy. They ranged from "asteroid" to "zenith." Asteroid is a combination of signs for a solar orbit, "detail" and "rocks." Zenith is an open hand held over the head with the opposite index finger pointing at it. A zenith is an object's highest point.

Former Discrimination Against The Deaf

A few years later, the IAU created the group Astronomy for Inclusion and Equity. It aims to help people with special needs get information on astronomy. One group is the deaf community, which has experienced prejudice and discrimination in the past.
For example, in France, sign language used to be forbidden in schools for deaf people, explains Beatriz Garcia. She is a Spanish astronomer and one of the leaders of the project. Hardly any new signs were added for almost 100 years. As a result, many planets and ideas never got their own signs.
If there's no word for something, it's harder to talk about it. Right now, speakers of sign language have to spell many words out, one letter at a time. That can take a long time.
For "Les mains dans les étoiles," a team of deaf people made up new signs for space objects and concepts. The sign for "quasar," for example, combines the signs for "same," "galaxy," "energy" and "power." Quasars are one of the brightest objects in the universe.
Image 3: This is the sign for "asteroid". It combines signs indicating "a solar orbit," "more details," and "rocks." Photo from the International Astronomical Union.
Image 3: This is the sign for "asteroid". It combines signs indicating "a solar orbit," "more details," and "rocks." Photo from the International Astronomical Union.

Translations For Other Languages

So far, Garcia says, the French dictionary has been a success. It is used by schools for the deaf and in public education programs. As a result, the group is doing the same thing for many other languages. Over the past few years, they have translated the LSF dictionary into American Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language. Their latest project will translate signs into many more languages, as well.
The list is still in progress. "If you look at the sheet, there are words without signs," Garcia says. The group hopes to find local volunteers to help. A  more complete list would also let experts compare signs in different languages. 

Create An International Signing Language For Space Terms

This could help bring about the IAU group's ultimate goal. The group wants to create an international sign language for astronomical words. Instead of many signs for the same word, there would be just one. An international sign language would allow experts from around the globe to communicate with each other. "We know this could be very difficult, but it is our dream," says Garcia.
In the meantime, what is Garcia's favorite sign? "Without a doubt, astronomy," she says. Like all signs, it is different in every language. But in many, it involves two hands coming together to form a telescope, looking off into the unknown.


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