What happens to Indigenous African Sign Languages? Celebrating International Mother Language Day
February 21st marks International Mother Language Day , a day dedicated to celebrating linguistic diversity and promoting multilingual education. Proclaimed by UNESCO and later adopted by the UN General Assembly, this day highlights the crucial role languages play in promoting inclusion and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Multilingual education not only promotes inclusive societies but also helps preserve non-dominant, minority, and indigenous languages. This is essential for ensuring equitable access to education and lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals. In this brief paper, I aim to explore indigenous African sign languages, drawing upon the research I have conducted in this field. Indigenous African Sign Languages In the context of International Mother Language Day, it is vital to recognize the significance of indigenous African sign languages. These languages, often overshadowed by more dominant sign languages like American Sign Language (AS...