Indian Sign Language (ISL) Expansion for Hearing Disabled Groups

• ISL is being used by people with hearing disabilities in India to enjoy music and translate concerts into visual and emotional experiences.

• The International Day of Sign Languages in September saw India add 2,500 new terms to the ISL dictionary, aiming to make communication more inclusive and culturally relevant.

• The new entries reflect both cultural and technological relevance, including English terms like algorithm, Aadhaar card, blockchain, and cognitive load, and signs for Hindi words corresponding to energy, Ursa Nebula, estrogen, and other essential terms in science, sports, accessibility, and everyday infrastructure.

• Events like ‘Beyond Signs: The Power of Gesture’ showcase the expressive power of ISL, combining body movements, facial expressions, and ISL to create immersive experiences. • Deaf educators highlight societal pressure to conform and “normalize” hearing disability, and the need to build awareness and foster community within the diverse spectrum of individuals with hearing disability