Ukraine’s deaf seek to ‘de-Russify’ sign language – Analysis

The Ukrainian Society of the Deaf in Ukraine has established a committee to remove Russian elements from the country’s sign language, according to the Kyiv Independent. The commission is working to reconstruct historical Ukrainian signs and develop new gestures for people with hearing and speech disorders. Natalia Adaniuk, a commission member, stated that they are trying to eliminate any sign characters that have connections to Russia. This effort to remove Russian influence from sign language began after the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in 2022. It is part of a broader initiative by the Ukrainian government to distance itself from Soviet and Russian culture, including changing the names of settlements and removing monuments to Russian historical figures.

One of the first words to be changed in sign language was “thank you,” according to Tatyana Krivko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf. The Russian sign for “thank you,” which involved taking one’s hat off and bowing, was rejected in favor of an international sign that involves bringing the dominant hand to the chin and moving it down towards the person being spoken to. Krivko emphasized that Ukrainians should not bow to anyone and that the deaf community in Ukraine wants no association with the Russian language.

The society’s work has received support from those in Ukraine with hearing impairments, according to Krivko. She stated that many in the deaf community avoid using Russian sign language entirely or in part because they want nothing to do with the Russian language.

Russia has consistently criticized Ukraine’s “de-Russification” policies, claiming that they violate international norms and infringe upon the rights of the Russian-speaking population, which comprises about a quarter of Ukraine’s population.

Source: RT news: Ukraine’s deaf seek to ‘de-Russify’ sign language