India's first sign language dictionary released with 3,000 words
India's first-of-its-kind dictionary, which aims to bring uniformity in sign languages used by hearing and speech impaired people across the nation, was released today. The Indian Sign Language (ISL) dictionary, which has been developed by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), comprises 3,000 Hindi and English words and their corresponding graphic representation of the signs which are used in daily life.
Dictionary is available both in print and video format
The dictionary is available both in print and video format. "The basic aim of developing the ISL Dictionary is to remove communication barriers between the deaf and hearing impaired communities as it is focused on providing more information in Indian sign language," Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said at the release of the dictionary on Friday.
Soon, many new words will be added to the dictionary
Gehlot said that soon many new words would be added to the dictionary and people will use this dictionary to learn sign language. The dictionary contains graphic representations of popular signs used by the hearing impaired and also includes regional variations. "It will also enable government officials, teachers, professionals, community leaders and others to learn and use sign language," a senior ministry official said.
DVD of the dictionary to be uploaded on Ministry website
The DVD of the dictionary will also be uploaded on the Ministry's website, and people can procure it from ISLRTC too. Around 300 dictionaries were distributed today. ISLRTC has been working on this ambitious project for the last one-and-half years. The words in the dictionary are divided into five categories - Everyday, Legal, Academic, Medical, and Technical terms - an ISLRTC statement said.
