BSL Representation: It’s Not Just About Signs – It’s About Accuracy

👋 It’s encouraging to see British Sign Language (BSL) gaining visibility on platforms like Giphy, especially around everyday topics like the weather.

But visibility without accuracy is not enough.

🔍 In the Met Office’s Giphy collection, some signs appear:

• Exaggerated or unnatural

• Lacking proper BSL grammar, handshapes, and facial expressions

This isn’t just a stylistic issue; it’s a language issue.BSL is not a set of gestures. It’s a rich, visual language with its structure, culture, and nuance.

💬 Getting it right matters.

I encourage anyone producing BSL content to:

✅ Learn and understand BSL before creating content

✅ Work with native signers and qualified BSL professionals

✅ Ensure every sign is clear, grammatically correct, and culturally respectful

🤝 We all want to raise the profile of BSL but let’s do it right.

Representation must be respectful, authentic, and informed by the Deaf community.

I’m always happy to support or collaborate with anyone who shares this commitment and signs BSL confidently and accurately.

#BSL #Accessibility #Inclusion #BritishSignLanguage #DeafCommunity #RepresentationMatters