“May 19, 2021, will become a milestone in the history of the Italian deaf community. Italy catches up with the rest of Europe today and has finally recognised its national sign language. After a decade-long battle, disappointments, conflicts, awareness-raising campaigns, sit-ins, petitions, conferences, projects and massive demonstrations, as well as the ongoing health emergency that has further amplified the discrimination suffered by deaf people, we have finally achieved this great success, a sign of civility and a milestone, not only for deaf people, but all of Italy.”
This is the main news that stands out today on the website of the Italian National Deaf Association. The House of Representatives approved the Bill to convert the “Sostegni” Decree and its Article 34 that “recognises, promotes and safeguards the Italian sign language (LIS) and the Italian tactile language (LIST).”
Moreover, the article with the “Measures for the recognition of the Italian sign language and the inclusion of individuals with hearing disabilities” recognises LIS and LIST interpreters as professional figures specialised in translation and interpreting.
We are happy to share this good news with our community as under the precious guidance of Tullio De Mauro, a great scholar of sign language studies, we often involved deaf individuals in our events. “Indeed, on account of this scientific interest, De Mauro was in close contact with the deaf and their national agency, participating in many initiatives promoted by the Italian Sign Language Committee (ComLis) and promoting their battles for the recognition of LIS in Parliament.”
Amongst the many events, there was the public exhibition of the Deaf Drums Road, a group of deaf percussionists directed by Maestro Sergio Quarta, in Piazza Vittorio. They performed in 2009 during the final evening of the Global Junior Challenge for “The World in a Square.”
