For decades, the standard for Deaf education in Nigeria has been defined by a foreign import: American Sign Language (ASL). While ASL has undoubtedly provided a vital means of communication for many, it often operates as a “linguistic overlay,” overshadowing the rich tapestry of indigenous signs and cultural expressions that have existed within Nigerian communities for generations.

Today, we are standing at a critical juncture. We are calling upon stakeholders, educators, policymakers, community leaders, donors, and technology innovators, to join forces with IHAV (Indigenous Hands and Voices) and S-DELI (Save the Deaf and Endangered Languages Initiative) in a groundbreaking movement to reclaim, document, and revitalize Nigeria’s authentic Deaf heritage.

The Problem: A Gaping Cultural and Linguistic Void

The reliance on ASL in Nigerian Deaf education creates several significant challenges:

1. Erosion of Cultural Identity: Language is inextricably linked to culture. When Deaf children are taught only in a foreign sign language, they are disconnected from their own heritage, traditions, and community narratives. A Deaf child in an Igbo home should have access to the “Igbo-ness” of their family through culturally relevant signs, not just signs imported from the United States.
2. Inaccurate Representation: ASL does not reflect the unique grammatical structures, idioms, and cultural nuances embedded within Nigerian spoken languages (like Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and hundreds of others). This mismatch hinders deep comprehension and effective communication within local contexts.
3. Language Deprivation: 95% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents who typically do not know sign language. The current system often fails to provide these families with early access to language, leading to severe language deprivation which fundamentally impedes a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development (Hall, 2017).

Our Solution: The IHAV & S-DELI Approach

We believe in the “total development” of the Deaf child, rooted in their indigenous linguistic and cultural identity. Our approach is multifaceted:

• Documentation of Indigenous Signs: S-DELI operates as a research-based NGO, dedicated to identifying and documenting authentic indigenous signs across Nigeria. From the Magajingari Sign Language in Kaduna to the local signs used in market squares in Port Harcourt, we are racing against time to record these endangered linguistic treasures before they vanish.
• Early Intervention (0–5 Years): Through programs like Indigenous Hands (iHands), we provide families with immediate, accessible platforms to learn and use indigenous sign language from the moment of diagnosis. This critical window of neuroplasticity is essential for preventing language deprivation and ensuring “kindergarten readiness.”
• Promoting Spoken Indigenous Languages: IHAV uniquely advocates for the promotion of spoken indigenous languages alongside sign languages. We empower families to create a “bimodal-bilingual” environment where Deaf children are immersed in the sounds and signs of their home culture.
• The Indigenous Hands Sign Videos: We are developing sign videos, like the AI videos on our YouTube channel, to make learning indigenous signs accessible, interactive, and scalable for families, educators, and communities across the nation.

Call to Action: Become a Champion of Nigerian Deaf Heritage

Reclaiming our linguistic heritage is not a task we can achieve alone. It requires a powerful coalition of dedicated stakeholders. We invite you to partner with us in the following ways:

• For Educators & Schools: Collaborate with us to integrate indigenous sign language and cultural content into your curriculum. Support professional development for Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs) in native signing.
• For Policymakers: Advocate for educational policies that recognize and prioritize indigenous sign languages. Allocate resources for research, documentation, and early intervention programs.
• For Donors & Foundations: Invest in our mission. Your financial support directly funds language documentation projects, early intervention services, and the development of educational technology like the Sign videos.
• For Community Leaders: Help us identify and connect with native signers in your communities. Raise awareness about the importance of indigenous language and Deaf rights.

Conclusion: Our Hands, Our Voices, Our Future

The work of IHAV and S-DELI is about more than just communication; it is about identity, dignity, and the preservation of a unique cultural legacy. By reclaiming Nigeria’s indigenous sign and spoken languages, we are ensuring that Deaf individuals are not just “included” but truly belong within the vibrant fabric of Nigerian society.

Join us. Together, we can build a future where every Nigerian Deaf child can proudly say, in their own indigenous hands and voice, “This is who I am.”

 

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