Sign Language: The universal bridge Malaysia is finally embracing

September 23 marks the International Day of Sign Languages, a day declared by the United Nations to highlight the importance of communication rights for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community worldwide. This year’s theme, “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights,” carries special meaning for Malaysia, especially as the government has recently announced plans to introduce sign language as part of the school curriculum.

For me, the announcement feels both historic and personal. I spent eight years teaching English in sign language to hard-of-hearing students at a Malaysian polytechnic. Those students taught me more than I could ever give back. They were resilient, disciplined, and determined to succeed in a world that often failed to provide them the tools they needed. For them, sign language was never a barrier—it was their lifeline.

A language beyond borders

Sign language is a full-fledged language with its own grammar and culture. While its structure varies from country to country, the meaning it carries is universal.

Unlike many Malaysians, I am not multilingual in spoken languages. But through signing, I discovered that I could communicate across borders. I remember vividly being in Spain, unable to speak Spanish, when I noticed a mother and her daughter signing. I joined in, and suddenly the communication gap disappeared. At that moment, I realised that sign language is both local and global: it may look different in Malaysia, America, or Spain, but it speaks the same human truth—I see you, I hear you, I understand you.

When prejudice hurts

There are, however, moments that reveal how much more work remains to be done.

One day on a bus in Malaysia, I was signing with a young girl to help her find the correct bus number. A passenger nearby remarked, “Such a pity—pretty girls but can’t talk or hear.” The words cut deep. They weren’t about me—I can hear—but about her, who could not. That casual comment revealed the kind of prejudice she likely faced every day, reducing her life and intelligence to a stereotype of “pity.”

It was a reminder that society’s greatest barrier is not deafness itself, but the attitudes of those who refuse to understand.

A breakthrough for Malaysia

This is why Malaysia’s move to introduce sign language in schools is so important. For decades, the deaf community has fought for recognition and inclusion. By integrating sign language into classrooms, we are taking a step toward dismantling barriers.

The policy is more than a technical change—it is a cultural shift. Imagine a classroom where children learn to sign alongside speaking, where deaf students are not isolated but included, and where peers grow up understanding that language takes many forms. By normalising sign language from a young age, we cultivate empathy, break down prejudice, and build a society that is more inclusive by design.

Rights, not favours

The theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights” is not just rhetoric—it reflects reality. Without access to language, many rights remain out of reach. Education, employment, healthcare, and even participation in community life all depend on the ability to communicate.

Research shows that deaf children who gain access to sign language early enjoy better educational outcomes, stronger self-confidence, and wider opportunities in adulthood. When access is denied, however, children may suffer lifelong consequences, from language deprivation to social exclusion.

In this sense, sign language rights are human rights. Providing them is not charity—it is justice.

The road ahead

While Malaysia’s new policy is commendable, its success depends on more than announcements. We will need trained teachers, interpreter training programmes, accessible learning materials, and support for parents of deaf children. Community awareness campaigns will also be key to changing public attitudes and breaking down the prejudices that still linger.

Globally, many countries are moving in the same direction, recognising that sign language belongs not only to the deaf community but to society as a whole. If more Malaysians learn to sign—even at a basic level—we will all benefit from a richer, more connected, and more compassionate society.

Conclusion

International Day of Sign Languages reminds us that communication is a fundamental right. For me, the memories of signing with students in Malaysia, of facing prejudice on a bus, and of finding unexpected connections in Spain, are constant reminders of both the challenges and the possibilities of this unique language.

Malaysia’s step to bring sign language into schools is a breakthrough worth celebrating. It signals to deaf Malaysians that they are not invisible, not voiceless, and not alone.

Ultimately, sign language is more than a tool for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is a universal bridge—one that teaches all of us to listen with our eyes, to speak with our hands, and to connect with our hearts.