TT gets sign language dictionary

Angela Edwards, Director, Disability Affairs Unit, Ministry of Social Development and Chairman of the Committee responsible for producing the book hailed its completion an historic occasion. She said when the idea was presented to the Ministry, it was tackled as a matter of priority since TT sign language needed to be addressed, formalised and recognised.

“The reason for this is because deaf and hearing impaired persons and their educators had over time developed signs for words which previously had no signs, especially words unique to TT such as doubles, calalloo, Carnival and Heritage Festival,” said Edwards.

Antonia Popplewell, Permanent Secretary at the Social Development Ministry, commented on the amount of work and love that went into the project, resulting in what she described as a landmark occasion. She said with the dictionary, there are many possibilities for users. It can be a teaching tool and it will go a long way in the promotion and acceptance of sign language in TT.

Bearing testimony to the book was Selwyn Alleyne of Deaf Pioneers Life Centre and a committee member. Through a sign language interpreter he expressed his happiness for the compilation of the book, stating that he was proud about what they had achieved.

Alleyne added that his community can now better communicate with each other and their friends through the book.

“I am excited by what has been accomplished,” he ended.

Social Development Minister Anthony Roberts, congratulated the book committee for their commitment and expertise, resulting in the successful completion of the project.

That committee comprised Edwards, Alleyne, Ann-Marie Jack of the TT Association for Hearing Impaired, Eulyn Dove of the Ministry of Education’s Monitoring Unit, Maria Thomas of the Special Education Unit, Olga Anthony of Agape, Kenwyn Noel from Touch of Christ, Shevon and Joy Weston, both of the Deaf Alert Hearing Centre, John Henry and Nadine Ellis, both sign language interpreters, Joan Bobb-Dann of the Tobago House of Assembly, Samuel Modeste of Pointe-a-Pierre Government Special School and John Paul Atherly, secretary of the committee and research officer of the Disability Affairs Unit.

During his feature address, Roberts took pride in stating: “For the first time we have documented signs for words like all fours, bene ball, Buccoo Reef, Chaguanas, Laventille, phoulorie, souse, ginger beer, caimite and ponche-de-cr?me.”

He said once the Ministry of Education reviewed the text and made the necessary adjustments, “the dictionary will be published and placed on the book list of all schools that cater to the needs of the deaf and hearing impaired community.”

There are also plans to make the dictionary and DVD available to interested persons in the wider community in bookstores around the country.