Issues in Sign Language Communication

This chapter critically examines the evolving landscape of sign language communication within Deaf studies and education, foregrounding the sociolinguistic, pedagogical, and policy-related challenges that shape Deaf individuals' access to language and participation. It traces the historical marginalization of sign languages through oralist educational policies and explores how contemporary legal recognition often fails to translate into meaningful access. Based on the cross-national comparison, the chapter dwells on the lack of consistency in the ways interpreters are offered, bilingual education, and the ethical implementation of the emergent technologies, especially in low-resource settings. By framing sign language as a human right and educational asset, sign language as the linguistic minority right and communal advocacy as the basis of structural change within the context of linguistic justice is put forward in the chapter.