South African Sign Language will officially be signed into law today, a historic moment for our country!
Pretoria, South Africa (19 July, 2023)—South Africa’s 12th official language will be signed into law today—an amazing sign of the times for everyone who pushed for South African Sign Language (SASL) to have a seat at the national table.
The road to the official addition might not have been short but it’s certainly been worthy and Good Things Guy has kept up with every milestone along the way.
From SASL’s recognition as an official Home Language to the South African Sign Language Bill’s passing earlier this year, SASL’s place in the Rainbow Nation’s vocabulary is a welcomed moment in history.
Over and above the inclusivity it encourages, SASL’s recognition also plays a role in rights’ protection for the deaf and hearing-impaired community.
South Africa is now the fourth country in Africa to have sign language among its official languages following Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
As the Wits Centre for Deaf Studies weighs in:
“This monumental victory marks a new era of inclusion, recognition, and cultural enrichment. It underlines our mission of making a society where every language, including SASL, is respected and given its rightful place.
“We’ve always believed that every language is a cornerstone of cultural identity and inclusivity, and today, we’re incredibly proud to see SASL receive the recognition it deserves. This is not just a win for the Deaf community, but a triumph for all who advocate for linguistic diversity and inclusivity.”
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