Home Signs

What are home signs?

Home signs are informal gestures and signals that develop naturally within families when a deaf child has limited access to a formal sign language. They typically emerge when a deaf child grows up in a household where other family members are hearing and do not know British Sign Language or another established sign language.

Sometimes called kitchen signs, these communication systems are created out of necessity. A deaf child will instinctively find ways to express needs, share thoughts and connect with those around them. The family responds, and over time a shared set of signs develops that works within that particular household.

Around 90 per cent of deaf children are born to hearing parents, according to commonly cited research in the field. Not all families have immediate access to sign language classes or deaf community support, and the development of home signs varies considerably depending on individual circumstances and available resources.

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How home signs develop

Home signs grow organically through daily interaction. A child might invent a gesture for a family pet, a favourite food or a regular activity. Parents and siblings respond to these gestures, adopt them, and may add their own. Over months and years, the system expands.

These signs are more than simple pointing or basic mime. Research suggests that some home sign systems develop their own internal logic, with users establishing consistent word order and finding ways to express relationships between ideas. However, the complexity and structure of home signs varies widely between families. Some systems remain relatively simple, while others become more elaborate. None reach the full expressive range of established sign languages like BSL.

Home signs fill a gap when nothing else is available. However, they have clear limits. They cannot easily convey abstract ideas, and they do not transfer outside the immediate family circle.

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Why formal sign language matters

While home signs serve a real purpose, they are not a substitute for a full language. British Sign Language has its own grammar, vocabulary and expressive range. It allows deaf people to communicate with a wider community, access education and participate fully in society.

Children acquire language most easily in their early years. A deaf child exposed to BSL from a young age can develop strong language skills, though outcomes depend on individual circumstances and the presence of wider support. Delaying access to formal sign language can affect a child's cognitive and social development.

Learning BSL presents real challenges for hearing parents. It requires significant time and commitment, and the availability of classes and funded support varies considerably across different regions. Some local authorities offer BSL courses, while others have limited provision. The National Deaf Children's Society provides information on local services and family sign language programmes, and Signature, the awarding body for sign language qualifications in the UK, maintains a directory of accredited courses.

Beyond language, connecting with the deaf community and culture plays an important role in a deaf child's development and sense of identity.

The role of home signs today

Home signs still have a place, even in families where BSL is being learned. They can bridge the gap while parents are still developing their signing skills. They can capture family specific references that formal language might not cover. They can also strengthen bonds through shared, personalised communication.

Some families continue using certain home signs alongside BSL, treating them as a kind of family dialect. This is perfectly normal and does no harm, provided the child also has access to a full language.

The key point is balance. Relying solely on home signs without pursuing formal language support can limit a child's development and opportunities. With appropriate resources, deaf children can thrive in both their home environment and the wider world.

For guidance on supporting a deaf child's language development, the National Deaf Children's Society offers resources and a helpline for families.

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