Experts create new British Sign Language signs for complex climate terms

A team at the University of Edinburgh has developed new British Sign Language (BSL) signs for ten complex climate terms. This project, funded by the Royal Society, aims to visually represent scientific concepts rather than directly translating English words. The signs were created through collaboration among deaf scientists, educators, and linguists. Each sign undergoes feedback from team members and deaf students before being added to the Scottish Sensory Centre BSL online glossary. This approach enhances understanding of climate concepts by showing processes visually. For example, the sign for "carbon footprint" illustrates carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere, rather than simply combining the words "carbon" and "footprint."