Indian Language Alphabetic Sign Language System

India has several different sign language systems, just as it has several different written and spoken languages. However, no system of finger-spelling (letter by letter communication with hand gestures) has achieved any significant level of support within the deaf community.

The most important elements of a good finger spelling system are as follows:

1. The signs are be easily distinguishable

2. The signs are be comfortable and easy to give

Some signs are naturally easier than others, so the common letters should be given signs which are easy and quick to do, while uncommon ones can be assigned which are relatively slow and difficult gestures. 

In addition, the system should be easy to teach and learn, so the following requirements should be met

1. The system builds organically upon any already existing standards

2. The system has an internal logic & consistency to it

We are building upon earlier attempts to define a finger spelling standard (a system to sign Hindi vowels was devised in 1994, and a one-handed system was devised in 1976 but failed to spread widely).

Multiple Language Support

India's major languages are superficially very different but nevertheless have common Sanskrit roots and actually have a great degree of similarity, so the Indic Finger Spelling project - originally conceived just for Bengali - should allow users to intercommunicate without problem between all the major Indian languages.

Following an already established standard equivalence between the languages, we aim to produce a common finger spelling system that will unite the subcontinent and allow signers to cross the barriers that divide the different Indian languages.

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