Dr. Kundan Aryal

There is no doubt that language is the most effective way to conduct human communication. However, language has been, mostly, understood as merely the verbal signal system. Animal communication lacks flexibility and creativity because they don't have a verbal language. Their communication tradition is acquired genetically and not through learning. Thus, verbal communication has been taken as a condition of the existence of human society. But, non-verbal and written communications are equally important. Moreover, the arc of human communication has become much wider with the sign language.

Non-verbal communication
There is a valid argument that human beings communicate more information non-verbally than they do with words. Non-verbal communication is communication without words. However, in most of the cases, verbal and non-verbal communication goes hand-in-hand to enhance communication atmosphere. But there is a distinct sphere of human communication, which is, as some argue, cannot be placed in the category of non-verbal communication. According to them, sign languages are verbal because they contain words and sentences. If people are signing, they are speaking. It is just like when people use their voice to speak.
Thus, there is the only difference in modality, hand or mouth. Other than that, it is all the alike. In addition to Nepali, American and French sign languages, there are around 300 complete sign languages in the world today. Everything in sign languages is arranged for a reason, and such arrangements are not arbitrary. Signs in sign languages are put together in specific ways, with an explicit range of facial expressions and particular movements to express words, meaning and tone.
On September 23, the International Day of Sign Languages was observed globally as a unique opportunity to support and preserve the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people. Over the years, the United Nations has been expressing concerns to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realisation of the human rights of people who are deaf. In the aftermath of the 2006 political change in Nepal, sign language has been used in parliamentary sessions, including in the budget speech and other important events. In 2013, a government directive was issued requiring every national television channel broadcasting news to televise it in sign language at least once a day. However, the decree has not been fully implemented.
KP Adhikari, president of National Federation of Deaf Nepal, states that there are around 300,000 people in the country with hearing disability. Nepal has its sign language for them over four decades. A comprehensive Nepali Sign Language Dictionary containing as many as 4,300 symbols is also available. But there are only around 30 sign language interpreters in the country. Consequently, television channels have not implemented the government's directive under one pretext or the other. However, Nepal Television, along with its recently established station in State 1, has been running news bulletins in sign language.
Speech constitutes vital component of human communication. However, its alternative is also available there for those unable to listen and speak. Our pre-human ancestors must have had some means of communication, probably non-verbal such as gestures and body movements, and then eventually developed verbal communication using a spoken language. In everyday context, it is a widespread, which an individual practises either by speech or by written words. However, communication cannot be confined within the ambit of spoken or written words. Thus, it is said that communication is talking to one another, it is television, it is spreading information, it is our hairstyle, and it is literary criticism, the list goes on. All communication involves signs and codes. Likewise, in the case of sign language, an interpreter uses the signs with agreed convention to present the reference of everyday life.
As per the semiotics, the message is a construction of signs which, through interacting with the receivers, produces meanings. One of the three areas of study in semiotics is the sign itself. This consists of the study of different varieties of signs, of the different ways they do convey meaning, and of the way they link to the people who use them. Signs are human construct and can only be understood in terms of the codes, system, or convention.
As sign language is equally instrumental for the production and exchange of meanings, it has been proved to be effective for human communication in a special circumstance. A society functions in a democratic manner when it could operate the different channels of communication available for the transmission and reception. Since any community could not be out of communication in democracy, Nepal government began to use sign language, to a wide extent, in the arena of public discourse after the establishment of the republic and inclusive democracy. To leave no one behind the communication arc, it is necessary to create atmosphere conducive for the people to listen and express through the multiple channels of shared understandings.
Every individual has a unique way to communicate to navigate the world around us and interpret the surroundings and public affairs. Thus, Nepal has already initiated to create sign language friendly destinations both at national and sub-national levels. The policy to respect and promote more than one language is being encouraged to adhere to the constitutional right of the minorities.

Two-way communication
Marxist thinker Raymond Williams defines communications as the institutions and forms in which ideas, information, and attitudes are transmitted and received. However, he reiterates that communication needs to be realised as not merely the process of transmission. He views that there should be a sufficient arrangement to ensure a two-way communication through the different languages, including the language of sign. In inclusive democracy, the people with disabilities must not be left in the lurch. The government should do all it can to make sure that they can participate in national discourse and decision-making processes in line with spirit of the constitution.

(Dr. Aryal is associated with the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Tribhuvan University. kalamchi@gmail.com)