From barking dogs to roaring dragons the legal recognition of British and Irish sign language in the United Kingdom

Wilks, Rob

Abstract

The United Kingdom's legislative efforts to recognise British Sign Language (BSL) highlight the intersection of law, language rights, and citizenship. Despite varying degrees of recognition across its four nations – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – BSL remains largely a symbolically recognised language, with limited enforceable rights for its signers. Through the metaphors of the barking dog, roaring dragon, caged lion, and sturdy elk, this paper examines the legislative landscapes and outcomes of BSL recognition efforts, focusing on how historical, political, and societal factors have shaped these processes.
Scotland's BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, like a ‘barking dog that never bites,’ set the stage as a pioneering framework emphasising national planning for BSL. However, it lacks enforceability, leaving the Scottish deaf community without substantial changes in access to education, public services, or justice. Wales embodies the ‘roaring dragon,’ with persistent advocacy culminating in the introduction of a proposed BSL Bill, although governmental resistance tempers its impact. England’s BSL Act 2022, a ‘caged lion,’ symbolically recognises BSL but suffers from limited enforcement and exclusion of key areas under devolved powers. Northern Ireland's journey, represented by a ‘sturdy elk on a winding path,’ reflects resilience amid political instability, with legislative efforts encompassing both BSL and Irish Sign Language (ISL).

Drawing on Emery’s (2006) argument that access to society is vital to citizenship and social cohesion, this paper examines these legislative frameworks, situating BSL recognition within the broader debate on deaf identity as either a linguistic minority or as disabled. It argues that this dual framing shapes both the symbolic and practical outcomes of BSL recognition efforts. By analysing the successes and limitations of current frameworks, the paper emphasises the need for enforceable rights, dedicated funding, and systemic public sector obligations.

Ultimately, this work calls for a unified rights-based approach to BSL recognition across the UK – one that ensures linguistic equality and addresses the entrenched barriers to deaf individuals’ participation in public life.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: Symposium on Law and Language: Exploring the Intersection between Law and Language on International Mother Tongue Day
• Start Date: Feb 21, 2025
• End Date: Feb 21, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2025
• Publication Date: Feb 21, 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 23, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 27, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13785179