Sign languages recognized as UNESCO cultural heritage
Sign languages are newly recognized by Switzerland as intangible cultural heritage and are included in the list of living traditions of Switzerland. This was communicated by the Federal Office of Culture on Tuesday.
By acceding to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Switzerland has undertaken to compile and periodically update an inventory of living traditions in Switzerland. On the occasion of this year's update, the three Swiss sign languages - Swiss German Sign Language (DSGS), Langue des Signes Française (LSF) and Lingua die segni Italiana (LIS) - have finally found their way into this list of living traditions.
Sign languages are an important intangible cultural heritage in Switzerland. They open the possibility to expand thinking and to gain new insights. Those who sign think in pictures. The culture of the deaf lives through sign language: open, spontaneous, creative, visual, solidary and generous. The central element of this culture is sign language as an independent language form. It includes its dialects and the close cultural exchange with common traditions. The Deaf culture is characterized by a strong sense of belonging, which is based on the central element, the common tradition and identity,
For the Swiss Federation of the Deaf is clear: The sign languages must now finally be legally recognized. The Swiss Federation of the Deaf expects the Federal Council to quickly and consistently implement the motion 22.2873 Recognition of sign languages through a sign language law, which mandates the Federal Council to create a federal law on the legal recognition of Swiss sign languages and the equality of people with hearing disabilities.
