18 Jan 2016-|Gurgaon (Manesar) | Amity University Gurgaon
Amity University Gurgaon Organized Invited lecture on the significance of the sign language studies indian academia by prof. Ulrike Zeshan on 18th January 2016
Amity University Gurgaon Organized Invited Lecture on the Significance of sign languages studies in indian academia by Prof. Ulrike Zeshan on 18th January 2016
The Amity School of Liberal Arts (ASLA), Amity University, Gurgaon, organized a seminar on 18th January 2016, Monday, at the A Block auditorium. The speaker was welcomed with a bouquet of flowers presented by Prof. Padmakali Banerjee, Pro Vice Chancellor, AUH. The talk presented by Prof. Ulrike Zeshan was very well received by the audience and her presentation was followed by an interactive discussion and question-answer session in which both faculty and students participated actively.
Sign language has been used by human being since the beginning of human existence. Even in the primitive age, when there was no oral and written language available, people used sign language for the purpose of communication. Sign language, later on, gave shape to human sound, and gradually other sound systems developed subsequently. Even today a large number of people, all over the world, use sign language for communication purposes. A heart rending example is of Helen Keller who scaled a great academic and professional height only because of her tenacity, and learned everything with the help of sign language. Hence, beyond doubt, there is a great significance of sign language in the development of human language and civilization.
Nowadays, a large number of deaf people are not able to attend schools and colleges, because of their hearing disability. There are about 4 million deaf people in the different parts of India. Sign language, certainly, holds great importance for them. These, physically challenged people are differently-abled. They need special care and attention. Sign language is very useful for them not only for their education, but also to meet their day to day necessities.
Keeping this background in view Prof. Ulrike Zeshan’s, speech on the topic
Sign Language Study’ holds special significance. Prof. Zeshan is an international authority on Sign language. In her speech she highlighted the significance of sign language as an academic discipline. The Professor, who has been associated with the Central Lancashire University UK, has been coming to India since 1998. She has been travelling to the different parts of India and sensitizing people to the significance of sign language.
In India, the academic study of sign languages is still in its early development. Recently, efforts have been made towards implementing sign language studies for the purpose of research, teaching, and development at Indian tertiary institutions. This presentation summarizes the current state-of-the-art of work on Indian Sign Language in the country, and raises issues regarding the future development of this field. The includes the question of how the large Indian Deaf Community can benefit from sign language studies, how we can go about developing human resources in this area, and what the prospects are for collaboration with other countries.Overall the lecture was very informative and interesting for all the members and students. The concluding remarks were given by Prof. Archana Shukla, Dean, ASLA. Prof. Shukla also presented a memento to the guest speaker.