When people search for a sign language sign for Sept 18, they often run into a mix-up regarding global awareness dates. International advocacy days matter for linguistic rights, but pinning down the exact calendar dates can get confusing. International Sign Language Day is officially observed on September 23rd, established by the United Nations to raise awareness about linguistic human rights and the rich diversity of visual communication systems worldwide.
If you're trying to fingerspell months, dates, or specific days in sign language, you need a solid grasp of how manual alphabets and numbering systems operate. Let's break down how to sign dates accurately, clarify the dates surrounding deaf awareness events, and explore how visual communication functions in everyday life.
Clearing Up the Date Confusion
Calendar mix-ups happen often. While some local events or community workshops fall around mid-September, the official global celebration recognized by the United Nations is the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23rd. This date commemorates the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951.
Why does this distinction matter? Because accurate dates ensure you're participating in global advocacy movements, community gatherings, or educational workshops at the right time. Misidentifying dates can mean missing out on local deaf-led events, lectures, or classes designed to promote linguistic inclusion.
How to Sign Dates and Numbers in Sign Language
If you're learning how to sign a specific date like September 18th or September 23rd, you won't find a single static sign for the date itself. Instead, sign languages use a combination of fingerspelling for months and numerical handshapes for days and years.
Fingerspelling the Months
Months are typically signed by fingerspelling the first three letters of the month, or occasionally the full word if it's short.
- September: Spell S-E-P-T. Hold your hand steady, form each letter clearly, and keep your palm facing outward toward your conversation partner.
- Other months: January is J-A-N, February is F-E-B, and so on.
Expressing Days of the Month
Once you've signed the month, you sign the exact number for the day using standard cardinal or ordinal numbers depending on the regional sign language grammar, such as American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL).
- For the number 18 in ASL, you form the number 8 (with your thumb and fingers tapping together) and twist your wrist inward or flick your fingers depending on the regional variant, or you sign 1-0 and then 8 depending on the counting system.
- Keep your hand movements fluid. Jerky or tense handshapes make numbers harder to read.
Characteristics of Visual Languages
A common misconception is that sign languages are just physical versions of spoken languages, or that they are universal. Neither is true. Sign languages are independent linguistic systems with their own complex grammars, syntax, and cultural nuances.
- Spatial Grammar: Signers use the space around them to represent time, relationships, and locations. Objects or people can be set up in specific areas of signing space and referred back to later.
- Non-Manual Markers: Facial expressions, head tilts, and mouth movements aren't just for emotion; they carry grammatical weight. Raising your eyebrows, for example, can turn a statement into a question.
- No Universality: Just as spoken languages differ across borders, sign languages do too. American Sign Language (ASL) shares more roots with French Sign Language than with British Sign Language (BSL), even though both the US and UK share English as a spoken language.
Common Mistakes When Learning Dates and Signs
Beginners often run into a few predictable roadblocks when trying to sign dates or communicate basic concepts. Recognizing these pitfalls helps you build better habits early on.
- Signing too fast: Beginners often rush fingerspelling. Clarity matters far more than speed. Take your time with each letter transition.
- Facing the wrong way: Keep your palm facing out when fingerspelling. Turning your palm toward your face makes your handshapes nearly impossible to read.
- Ignoring facial grammar: Leaving your face blank while signing questions or complex dates strips away vital grammatical context. Match your facial expressions to your message.
- Assuming universality: Don't use an ASL sign dictionary and assume it works seamlessly in Australia, the UK, or Brazil. Always check regional variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a single sign language used all over the world?
No. There are over 300 different sign languages used globally. Each country or region has developed its own distinct visual language with unique grammar, vocabulary, and cultural history.
Why is September 23rd important for sign language users?
September 23rd is the International Day of Sign Languages. It was designated by the UN General Assembly to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
How do you sign numbers in American Sign Language?
Numbers 1 through 5 are signed with your palm facing inward toward your body. Numbers 6 through 9 involve touching specific fingertips to your thumb. Double digits like 18 require specific wrist twists or finger flicks depending on the number.
Can hearing people learn sign language?
Yes, absolutely. Learning sign language promotes accessibility, inclusivity, and direct communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing community members in workplaces, schools, and social settings.
