Filipino Sign Language
Encyclopedia
Filipino Sign Language (FSL) or Philippine Sign Language, is a form of manual and visual communication that utilize hand gestures. FSL is used by deaf individuals, people unable to communicate verbally and people who are FSL interpreters in the Philippines
.
FSL has a very strong influence from American Sign Language (ASL)
and Signing Exact English (SEE)
which is used in most schools for the deaf in the Philippines. There has been some suggestion that only ASL is true sign language and FSL is just some kind of home gestures however research conducted by Liza B. Martinez, Ph.D. showed that there is a true Filipino Sign Language.
Total communication is used in deaf schools, with teachers both speaking and signing. Used by the USA Peace Corps
, American Sign Language
is well known as a second language. Population of users estimate at about 300,000 hearing impaired individuals and about 100,000 to 4.2 million people who have hearing problems.
In 2003, the Philippine Federation of the Deaf
conducted a project for three years to develop dictionaries and teaching materials as well as a database of sign language data. It was funded with the assistance of the Japanese government.
and who arrived at Dulac, Leyte
during the latter days of 1590. Another person who is believed to have first used sign language in the Philippines for communication and teaching was Juan Giraldo, a Frenchman who arrived at Dulac, Leyte in 1595. To achieve an effective manual and visual communication and teaching program, however, the monastic missionaries first had to learn local Philippine languages
. Furthermore, in relation to the general history of signing, Abat and Martinez pointed out that the "interest in" the study of "sign languages is well documented in the life and works" in Europe
of an "Spanish
ex-Jesuit" named Lorenzo Hervás.
had a great influence over the sign language used by the deaf in the Philippines. The School for the Deaf and Blind (SDB) – now known as the Philippine School for the Deaf was established in 1907. It was founded by Ms Delia Delight Rice, an American
teacher. Rice, a native of Columbus, Ohio
, was invited to the Philippines to spearhead a pioneering school for the handicapped in the country and its Asian neighbors. The request came from David P. Burrows, then director of education in the Philippines, who trusted the educator’s expertise in special education. Rice, whose parents were both deaf, had immeasurable experience in the field. This school was run and managed by American principals until the 1940s.
Another great influence to providing education for the deaf was the assignment of volunteers from the U.S. Peace Corps
, who were stationed at various places in the Philippines from 1974 through 1989. Influence from the United States also included the arrival of religious organizations, teachers
, publications, and videos that utilized and promoted American Sign Language and Manually Coded English
linguistic sign systems.
, a university for the deaf; while Abat was a deaf researcher. Martinez is the current director of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center. She was one of the pioneers who begun studies about the use of sign language in the Philippines. She also pioneered the publication of reading materials and the launching of projects about Philippine sign language.
can be traced from the founding of the Manila School for the Deaf (now called as the Philippine School for the Deaf) during the early days of the 20th century, a time when first contact with American Sign Language occurred. This was followed by the formation of the Philippine Association for the Deaf during the early 70s.
, USA. He came to the Philippines in October 1962. He founded BID as a ministerial school on October 12, 1962 with publications continuing in 1979 and 1987.
, the deaf community expanded their activities during the third wave to the provinces, through the employ of schools and communal gatherings.
Also during the middle of the 1970s, the first group of American Peace Corps volunteers arrived. With regards to literature, the Rev. S. Wayne Shaneyfelt Love Signs publications were printed, a program which included the documentation of traditional Filipino signs.
was launched (1989), together with the Program for the Hearing Impaired at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
(1991). Meanwhile, beginning in 1983, the International Deaf Education Association
(IDEA) led by former Peace Corps volunteer, G. Dennis Drake, established a series of residential elementary programs in Bohol, funded in part by sales at The Garden Cafe, a deaf-owned and operated restaurant and training center located in Tagbilaran City. Subsequent expansion increased the deaf-operated businesses, and helped create Bohol Deaf Academy
(2005), a residential high school specializing in TESDA approved vocational coursework. In Manila, a computer-skill-related program was also established through the Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf
(1993). A School of Special Studies (later became School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies) was also opened, which offered a Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Deaf organizations proliferated during this period with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf as a prominent figure. Influence from Gallaudet University
occurred through its batches of Filipino and American graduates, and with Rev. S. Wayne Shaneyfelt's 1987 Philippine Sign Language in the Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deafness, ed. J. Van Cleve, 97. New York: McGrawHill. The National Sign Language Committee also made efforts to prepare the Status Report on the Use of Sign Language in the Philippines.
Department of Linguistics conducted a forum entitled “Tinig ng Senyas: Pagbubuklod Tungo sa Pagpapanday ng Isang Makabuluhang Pambansang Patakaran sa Wikang Senyas (Voice of Sign: Unification Towards Forging a Significant National Order on Sign Language),” on August 26, 2009 underscoring the need for a standard language for the deaf in the Philippines, particularly hearing-challenged students. Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Marites Racquel Estiller-Corpuz delivered a paper entitled "Wikang Senyas: Yaman ng Pilipinas" (Sign Language: Treasure of the Philippines) fighting for their right to participate in the choice of a national sign language. The PFD endorses the Filipino Sign Language, which it describes as rich but dying from lack of state support despite being used for more than four generations and currently by 54% of sign-language users in the Philippines.
Then, a Department of Education (DepEd)
Memorandum Order issued by Dr. Yolanda Quijano, DepEd Undersecretary of Programs and Projects declaring Signing Exact English
as the official language to be used for deaf education stirred outrage from the Filipino Deaf community. Because of this, various groups supporting the use of Filipino Sign Language sent position papers denouncing its ruling and sought for a dialogue with the Department of Education.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers
Party-List Representative Antonio L. Tinio then facilitated a dialogue with DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro in September 8, 2011 and invited key stakeholders and deaf community. The dialogue urged the Department of Education to use the Filipino Sign Language as the official national sign language for better education of Filipino deaf. In that forum, Dr. Quijano defended her stand on the use of Signing Exact English.
Tinio emphasized that Filipino Sign Language is the most appropriate medium of instruction for the Filipino Deaf community as it is the native language that they recognize, comprehend and identify with the most. He also asked Luistro to issue a directive that would clarify DepEd policy regarding the medium of instruction used for the deaf community.
The dialogue resulted in the creation of a working group which will collaborate with the DepEd on crafting implementable policies and programs for the Filipino deaf community.
Other recommendations of the group include:
is now available for free and is ready for download. Called MCCID FSL Font because it's exclusively designed by a deaf student of Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf
College of Technology. This true type font belongs to the dingbat
fonts. A dingbat is a term used in the computer industry to describe fonts that have symbols and shapes in the positions designated for alphabetical or numeric characters.
MCCID FSL Font has all the equivalent alphabets and numeric characters that are used in fingerspelling
and hand signs. The hands used are similar to those with white gloves so special markings like fingernails and palm lines don’t appear. The characters are comic like in order to make the hands clearer and easier to copy. It also has special characters that are not commonly included in other fonts. MCCID College of Technology aims for the font to be accessed and installed freely to any computers in order to promote the learning of sign language and increase people’s awareness in learning this special language of the Deaf people.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
FSL has a very strong influence from American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
and Signing Exact English (SEE)
Signing Exact English
Signing Exact English is a system of manual communication that strives to be an exact representation of English vocabulary and grammar...
which is used in most schools for the deaf in the Philippines. There has been some suggestion that only ASL is true sign language and FSL is just some kind of home gestures however research conducted by Liza B. Martinez, Ph.D. showed that there is a true Filipino Sign Language.
Total communication is used in deaf schools, with teachers both speaking and signing. Used by the USA Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
, American Sign Language
American Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
is well known as a second language. Population of users estimate at about 300,000 hearing impaired individuals and about 100,000 to 4.2 million people who have hearing problems.
In 2003, the Philippine Federation of the Deaf
Philippine Federation of the Deaf
The Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Inc. is a non-stock. non-profit national federation of Deaf organization in the Philippines. PFD's existence was legitimized upon its registration with the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 1997.PFD is a national member of the World...
conducted a project for three years to develop dictionaries and teaching materials as well as a database of sign language data. It was funded with the assistance of the Japanese government.
1600s and 1700s
During the time of the Spaniards in the Philippines, one of those who used sign language as a method of teaching catechism and used it also to administer the sacrament of baptism to the deaf was Father Ramon Prat (also known as Raymundo del Prado or Ramón del Prado), a Spaniard who speaks CatalanCatalan language
Catalan is a Romance language, the national and only official language of Andorra and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, where it is known as Valencian , as well as in the city of Alghero, on the Italian island...
and who arrived at Dulac, Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
during the latter days of 1590. Another person who is believed to have first used sign language in the Philippines for communication and teaching was Juan Giraldo, a Frenchman who arrived at Dulac, Leyte in 1595. To achieve an effective manual and visual communication and teaching program, however, the monastic missionaries first had to learn local Philippine languages
Philippine languages
The Philippine languages are a 1991 proposal by Robert Blust that all the languages of the Philippines and northern Sulawesi—except Sama–Bajaw and a few languages of Palawan—form a subfamily of Austronesian languages...
. Furthermore, in relation to the general history of signing, Abat and Martinez pointed out that the "interest in" the study of "sign languages is well documented in the life and works" in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
of an "Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
ex-Jesuit" named Lorenzo Hervás.
American influence
It is believed that the sign language from the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
had a great influence over the sign language used by the deaf in the Philippines. The School for the Deaf and Blind (SDB) – now known as the Philippine School for the Deaf was established in 1907. It was founded by Ms Delia Delight Rice, an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teacher. Rice, a native of Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, was invited to the Philippines to spearhead a pioneering school for the handicapped in the country and its Asian neighbors. The request came from David P. Burrows, then director of education in the Philippines, who trusted the educator’s expertise in special education. Rice, whose parents were both deaf, had immeasurable experience in the field. This school was run and managed by American principals until the 1940s.
Another great influence to providing education for the deaf was the assignment of volunteers from the U.S. Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
, who were stationed at various places in the Philippines from 1974 through 1989. Influence from the United States also included the arrival of religious organizations, teachers
Thomasites
The Thomasites is a group of about five hundred pioneer American teachers sent by the U.S. government to the Philippines in August 1901.-Foundation, purpose and etymology:...
, publications, and videos that utilized and promoted American Sign Language and Manually Coded English
Manually Coded English
Manually Coded English is a general term used to describe a variety of visual communication methods expressed through the hands which attempt to represent the English language...
linguistic sign systems.
Native origins in the Philippines
During the early days of the 1990s, one of the local influence were the research activities done by Liza Martinez and Rafaelito M. Abat. Martinez was an individual without any hearing impairment but knowledgeable with sign language and also a former member-teacher at the University of GallaudetGallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, located in the District of Columbia, U.S...
, a university for the deaf; while Abat was a deaf researcher. Martinez is the current director of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center. She was one of the pioneers who begun studies about the use of sign language in the Philippines. She also pioneered the publication of reading materials and the launching of projects about Philippine sign language.
Chronology of events
Rafael Abat and Liza B. Martinez grouped the "milestones and landmark events" of the development of Filipino linguistic signing into four waves, namely those that occurred in the early 20th century, the 1960s, the middle of the 1970s, and the 1990s.First wave
The emergence of Filipino Sign Language as one of the modern-day sign language disciplines in AsiaAsia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
can be traced from the founding of the Manila School for the Deaf (now called as the Philippine School for the Deaf) during the early days of the 20th century, a time when first contact with American Sign Language occurred. This was followed by the formation of the Philippine Association for the Deaf during the early 70s.
Second wave
In the 1960s, contact with American Sign Language continued through the launching of the Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation and the Laguna Christian College for the Deaf. The Bible Institute for the Deaf (BID) was started by the Rev. S. Wayne Shaneyfelt, a missionary of the General Council of the Assemblies of GodAssemblies of God
The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
, USA. He came to the Philippines in October 1962. He founded BID as a ministerial school on October 12, 1962 with publications continuing in 1979 and 1987.
Third wave
In the 1970s, further contact with American Sign Language - in addition to the influence of the Manually Coded English (MCE) signing systems - continued. The Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf was established, as well the Luneta Coffee Shop managed by the Philippine Association for the Deaf. From the second wave 's meetings of the deaf outside the vicinity of ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, the deaf community expanded their activities during the third wave to the provinces, through the employ of schools and communal gatherings.
Also during the middle of the 1970s, the first group of American Peace Corps volunteers arrived. With regards to literature, the Rev. S. Wayne Shaneyfelt Love Signs publications were printed, a program which included the documentation of traditional Filipino signs.
Fourth wave
During the fourth wave of the 1980s and the 1990s, the CAP School for the DeafCAP College Foundation
CAP College Foundation is a private, non-sectarian, distance learning college in the Philippines.- The Distance Learning alternative system :...
was launched (1989), together with the Program for the Hearing Impaired at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...
(1991). Meanwhile, beginning in 1983, the International Deaf Education Association
International Deaf Education Association
The International Deaf Education Association is an organization focused on the program of educating the deaf in Bohol, Philippines initiated by the United States Peace Corps, under the leadership of Dennis Drake. The organization is a non-profit establishment that provides education to the...
(IDEA) led by former Peace Corps volunteer, G. Dennis Drake, established a series of residential elementary programs in Bohol, funded in part by sales at The Garden Cafe, a deaf-owned and operated restaurant and training center located in Tagbilaran City. Subsequent expansion increased the deaf-operated businesses, and helped create Bohol Deaf Academy
Bohol Deaf Academy
Bohol Deaf Academy, BDA, located in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, is private, coed, residential high school for deaf students. It was established in 2005 and specializes in advanced academic and vocational instruction for college and work-bound students....
(2005), a residential high school specializing in TESDA approved vocational coursework. In Manila, a computer-skill-related program was also established through the Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf
Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf
Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf is a non-sectarian, post-secondary, Christian foundation school for the deaf in the Philippines authorized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to offer non-degree computer and other technical training programs.It is also...
(1993). A School of Special Studies (later became School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies) was also opened, which offered a Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Deaf organizations proliferated during this period with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf as a prominent figure. Influence from Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, located in the District of Columbia, U.S...
occurred through its batches of Filipino and American graduates, and with Rev. S. Wayne Shaneyfelt's 1987 Philippine Sign Language in the Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deafness, ed. J. Van Cleve, 97. New York: McGrawHill. The National Sign Language Committee also made efforts to prepare the Status Report on the Use of Sign Language in the Philippines.
Recent Events and Controversies
In celebration of the Language Month, the University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
Department of Linguistics conducted a forum entitled “Tinig ng Senyas: Pagbubuklod Tungo sa Pagpapanday ng Isang Makabuluhang Pambansang Patakaran sa Wikang Senyas (Voice of Sign: Unification Towards Forging a Significant National Order on Sign Language),” on August 26, 2009 underscoring the need for a standard language for the deaf in the Philippines, particularly hearing-challenged students. Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Marites Racquel Estiller-Corpuz delivered a paper entitled "Wikang Senyas: Yaman ng Pilipinas" (Sign Language: Treasure of the Philippines) fighting for their right to participate in the choice of a national sign language. The PFD endorses the Filipino Sign Language, which it describes as rich but dying from lack of state support despite being used for more than four generations and currently by 54% of sign-language users in the Philippines.
Then, a Department of Education (DepEd)
Department of Education (Philippines)
The Department of Education , is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the management and governing of the Philippine system of basic education. It is the chief formulator of Philippine educational policy and is responsible for the Philippine primary and secondary...
Memorandum Order issued by Dr. Yolanda Quijano, DepEd Undersecretary of Programs and Projects declaring Signing Exact English
Signing Exact English
Signing Exact English is a system of manual communication that strives to be an exact representation of English vocabulary and grammar...
as the official language to be used for deaf education stirred outrage from the Filipino Deaf community. Because of this, various groups supporting the use of Filipino Sign Language sent position papers denouncing its ruling and sought for a dialogue with the Department of Education.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers
Alliance of Concerned Teachers
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers is a progressive, militant and nationalist organization of teachers, academic non-teaching personnel and non-academic non-teaching personnel established on June 26, 1982 in the Philippines...
Party-List Representative Antonio L. Tinio then facilitated a dialogue with DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro in September 8, 2011 and invited key stakeholders and deaf community. The dialogue urged the Department of Education to use the Filipino Sign Language as the official national sign language for better education of Filipino deaf. In that forum, Dr. Quijano defended her stand on the use of Signing Exact English.
Tinio emphasized that Filipino Sign Language is the most appropriate medium of instruction for the Filipino Deaf community as it is the native language that they recognize, comprehend and identify with the most. He also asked Luistro to issue a directive that would clarify DepEd policy regarding the medium of instruction used for the deaf community.
The dialogue resulted in the creation of a working group which will collaborate with the DepEd on crafting implementable policies and programs for the Filipino deaf community.
Other recommendations of the group include:
- Include a subject on FSL, with appropriate testing mechanisms, as early as pre-school, continuing throughout the primary level. Develop and adopt an FSL Proficiency Test for Deaf students.
- Develop fully accessible educational materials for Deaf and Deaf-blind children, according to the principles of Universal DesignUniversal designUniversal design refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to both people without disabilities and people with disabilities....
. - Employ immediate Affirmative Action measures to bring Deaf FSL signer teachers/role models into the classroom. Plan and implement pre- and continuing in-service training on FSL at the division and regional levels. Formulate and conduct an FSL Proficiency Test to assess fluency for use in the criteria for hiring, promotion and tenure of teachers and interpreters. For classroom interpreters, additional assessments for sign and voice interpretation ability should be created.
- Review, revise and update the 1997 Handbook on Special Education so that it:(a) uses correct, research-based definitions of critical terms such as sign language, sign systemSign systemA sign system is a key concept in semiotics and is used to refer to any system of signs and relations between signs. The term language is frequently used as a synonym for a sign-system. However, the term sign-system is preferable to the term language for a number of reasons...
, communication, Total CommunicationTotal CommunicationTotal Communication is an approach to deaf education that aims to make use of a number of modes of communication such as signed, oral, auditory, written and visual aids, depending on the particular needs and abilities of the child.-History:...
, Universal Design and others; (b) definitively explains and prescribes the current progressive definition of the bilingual approach among Deaf children as: using sign language (i.e., Filipino Sign Language) as the language/medium of instruction, or L1, in all subjects for Deaf children with a parallel strong emphasis on teaching reading and writing of the language, or L2 / L3; (c) all changes to be instituted should be charged to mandated appropriations for PWDs in all national government agencies according to the General Appropriations Act and Presidential Proclamation 240. In addition, educational assistance as specified in RA 9442 should be provided for Deaf and Deaf-blind students. Also a related/supplementary policy should be issued, anchored on DepEd Order 74-2009, consistent with international commitments, and with the appropriate modifications for visual languages. - Continuing activities on Deaf history, visual literature and culture should be promoted in partnership with national and local Deaf peoples’ organizations for teachers, interpreters, school staff, as well as local government units, parents, caregivers, and the public at large to raise awareness about FSL and the culture and community of Deaf people.
- The Professional Regulation CommissionProfessional Regulation CommissionThe Professional Regulation Commission , otherwise known as the PRC, is a three-man commission attached to the office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Its mandate is to regulate and supervise the practice of the professionals who constitute the highly skilled manpower of the...
and the Civil Service CommissionCivil Service Commission-Chairmen:*John Houghton MHK, 2004-date*George Waft MLC, 1996-2004*Clare Christian MLC, 1981-1982*Noel Cringle MLC, 1992-1996*Walter Gilbey, years unknown...
must formulate specific measures to accelerate and achieve de facto equality of Deaf takers of the Licensure Examination for Teachers. Collaborative research specially with state universities and colleges (as mandated in Republic Act 7277) should be promoted. - Finally, crafting of legislation for the legal recognition of FSL, including in education, is essential.
Filipino Sign Language Font
It is the first and only Filipino Sign Language FontFont
In typography, a font is traditionally defined as a quantity of sorts composing a complete character set of a single size and style of a particular typeface...
is now available for free and is ready for download. Called MCCID FSL Font because it's exclusively designed by a deaf student of Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf
Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf
Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf is a non-sectarian, post-secondary, Christian foundation school for the deaf in the Philippines authorized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to offer non-degree computer and other technical training programs.It is also...
College of Technology. This true type font belongs to the dingbat
Dingbat
A dingbat is an ornament, character or spacer used in typesetting, sometimes more formally known as a "printer's ornament" or "printer's character"....
fonts. A dingbat is a term used in the computer industry to describe fonts that have symbols and shapes in the positions designated for alphabetical or numeric characters.
MCCID FSL Font has all the equivalent alphabets and numeric characters that are used in fingerspelling
Fingerspelling
Fingerspelling is the representation of the letters of a writing system, and sometimes numeral systems, using only the hands. These manual alphabets , have often been used in deaf education, and have subsequently been adopted as a distinct part of a number of sign languages around the world...
and hand signs. The hands used are similar to those with white gloves so special markings like fingernails and palm lines don’t appear. The characters are comic like in order to make the hands clearer and easier to copy. It also has special characters that are not commonly included in other fonts. MCCID College of Technology aims for the font to be accessed and installed freely to any computers in order to promote the learning of sign language and increase people’s awareness in learning this special language of the Deaf people.
Videos and Short Films About Filipino Sign Language
- Mi Ultimo AdiosMi último adiós"Mi último adiós" is a poem written by Philippine national hero José Rizal on the eve of his execution on December 30, 1896. Although the poem was untitled, this title served as an artifice useful as a quick reference. This poem was one of the last notes he wrote before his execution...
in Filipino Sign Language - Philippine National Anthem in Filipino Sign Language
- Silent Odyssey: A Journey into the Deaf World
- Filipino Sign Language GMANews TV Documentary
Publications about Filipino Sign Language
These are selected publications about sign language used in the Philippines:- An Introduction to Filipino Sign Language (PDRC/PFD, 2004)
- Filipino Sign Language: A Compilation of Signs from Regions of the Philippines (PFD, 2005)
- Status Report on the Use of Sign Language in the Philippines (NSLC)
- Filipino Sign Language (PEN International, DLS-College of St. Benilde)
See also
- The ThomasitesThomasitesThe Thomasites is a group of about five hundred pioneer American teachers sent by the U.S. government to the Philippines in August 1901.-Foundation, purpose and etymology:...
- International Deaf Children's SocietyInternational Deaf Children's SocietyDeaf Child Worldwide is the International Development arm of the National Deaf Children's Society . It is the only UK based international development agency dedicated to enabling deaf children to overcome poverty and isolation...
- Deaf International Basketball FederationDeaf International Basketball FederationDeaf International Basketball Federation is a world governing body for international deaf basketball with support of International Basketball Federation and in cooperation with Deaflympics and its confederations...