Looking Beyond Makaton
First things first, I am not deaf, I am not involved in the Deaf culture and my knowledge of sign language is based on my own research. My perspective is as someone who works to provide access to education for children and young people.
There are lots of amazing Deaf individuals on social media who talk about their experiences and the Deaf culture. Someone who I enjoy following is Charis Townsend, who goes by @hipster.sunshine on Instagram.
Now it's time to grab a hot drink and a fidgit because this is a long one...!
What is Sign?
Sign language is a form of communication using gestures and body language. Sign language has been used for thousands of years, many believe as long as spoken language. Signs are believed to have been used by hunter gatherers to communicate on open plains but its impossible to know when and where sign language was first used by deaf individuals. We do know the first written reference to sign language was in Ancient Greece.
Now most countries have their own sign language though deaf education is still limited and many countries still don't recognise sign as an official language. British Sign Langauge (BSL) was only recognised as a language in 2003 and wasn't officially a protected language until 2022.
The Different Types of Sign
British Sign Language (BSL) - BSL is its own language with its own grammatical structure. Its not just about making hand shapes, it also includes lip patterns, facial expressions and shoulder movements.
Sign Supported English (SSE) - SSE is the process of using sign language alongside spoken English and in the same order as spoken English. It uses the same signs as BSL but is generally follows spoken English grammar rules.
Makaton - Makaton is a simplified use of sign, not considered as a language but as a communication programme. It is mainly used by hearing people with additional communication needs and importantly it does not use the same signs as BSL though some are the same or similar.
Where did Makaton come from?
Makaton was created in the 1970's by Margaret Walker, a Speech and Language Therapist, Katherine Johnston and Tony Cornforth, who (at the time) both worked for the Royal Association of Deaf people (RAD). Margaret researched the positive impact of accompanying key BSL signs with spoken English for patients at the Botleys Park Hospital. Katherine and Tony worked at RAD and were brought into the hospital to teach the patients BSL.
Together they created Makaton. This is the only known link between the Makaton language programme and RAD.
Makaton and Mr Tumble
The character of Mr Tumble hosts a show called Something Special on CBeebies, and throughout the show he supports his spoken language with signs. But he doesn't use SSE, he uses Makaton.
A clip from 2004 included Mr Tumble singing a song about the creatures you can see underwater. He turns his attention to a crab and begins pinch him thumbs and fingers together repeatedly forming an upside down triangle.
The problem? The sign for crab in BSL is finger and thumb pinching, with the hands apart from each other. The upside down triangle in BSL means vagina.
Both the Makaton charity and theBritish Deaf Association (BDA) responded. See below for a segment of the BDA's response.
In another episode, Mr Tumble said "I'm happy to see you". Only in BSL he said "I'm f***ing you". Many people rightfully accused the BBC of messing up the signs. One individual, Jamie Miller, who works for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) said he was stunned and had no idea how to explain to his 5-year-old daughter what the sign was when she asked.
The BBC took no responsibility and instead told the public we should respect the work of Justin Fletcher (Mr Tumble) and the Makaton professionals involved in the episode.
Makaton and Olly Murs
The problem doesn't stop with CBeebies! Olly Murs released a video showing that he had learnt sign for his deaf fans, shouting out a creator @Isabellasigns for her help in teaching him.
But fans were quick to point out that he wasn't using BSL, he was using Makaton. Many calling Isabella out for not explaining the difference to Olly.
The Royal Association for Deaf people called out Isabella publicly, stating she does not represent the Deaf community and asking her to clarify that she uses Makaton on all future content.
Isabella released a public statement claiming she tried to learn BSL and believed she had done enough research to teach Olly Murs. She also explained that she uses Makaton with her brother who has Down Syndrome.
Olly did also respond, which I've included below.
What do I think?
The discourse between Makaton and BSL has caused harm to the Deaf community and whilst Makaton is a useful tool for those with communication difficulties I'm not sure its the right tool.
Makaton was origionally created to support communication alongisde spoken language. So why not continue to do that with Sign Supported English? Then there would be no confusion with the signs being different and the signs being used would be nationally recognised.
Those using Makaton are often being taught sign to support their understanding and communicaiton. Sign Supported English would also do this. And if they only needed 10 signs, then they could only learn those 10 signs.
What do you think?
Let us know in the comments below!
We hope that you've found today's email helpful. We hope to continue providing information in this format, so if there is a topic you want us to talk about make sure to let us know!
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References:
Charis Townsend - @hipster.sunshine
Statistics on BSL - https://www.gov.uk/government/publica....
Deaf Schools - https://www.ndcs.org.uk/information-a...https://bda.org.uk/bda-statement-sign...
Makaton Charity - https://makaton.org
Limping Chicken (Deaf blog) - https://limpingchicken.com/2022/10/07...
Olly Murs Response - https://x.com/ollymurs/status/1580506...