From Sia Gythfeldt
Richard and Joanne Payne say that Scandinavian Sign Language is taught to all children
(Letters, 15 May, p 51).
Being not just Scandinavian, but Danish, I
have to object to this. We were never taught sign language at school, and I have
never heard of anyone who was. Nor have friends who are Swedish or
Norwegian.
You also have to remember that we are three different countries, with three
different languages. I find it difficult to believe that there is such a thing
as a “Scandinavian Sign Language”.
A basic knowledge of sign language would be an excellent idea, but I am
afraid that there wouldn’t be enough time and resources to teach this as an
extra language. We already have to learn at least two foreign languages, and for
many that is enough. But giving children a way of communicating with deaf people
and some insight into deafness would benefit both hearing and deaf people.
Dublin
