Expansion Of Indian Sign Language (ISL):
India added some 2,500 new terms including words in English and Hindi to the Indian Sign Language (ISL) dictionary e.g., Aadhaar card, Blockchain, Ursa Nebula etc.
- New terms were added during the celebration of International Day of Sign Languages 2024 with the theme “Sign up for Sign Language Rights”.
- The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 23rd September as the International Day of Sign Languages in 2017 and it was first celebrated in 2018.
- The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) was established on 23rd September 1951.
- Expansion of the ISL facilitated the deaf community’s engagement particularly in scientific, cultural, and internet related contexts.
- The expansion of the ISL dictionary was spearheaded by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC).
- ISLRTC is an autonomous organisation established under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- It is dedicated to researching, fostering educational access and promoting Indian sign language as a linguistic system.