The difference between BSL, Sign supported English (S.S.E), Signed English (S.E) and Makaton.

Many people have difficulty understanding the difference between the types of sign language used in Britain. So here is a brief outline of the main four different sign languages.

BSL is a whole different language to English. Although it is closely linked to English, it has many different variations in grammar, structure, and the amount of words used.
For example, words such as ‘and’ ‘is’ or ‘the’ are not needed in BSL.
Mainly used with people who are moderately-severely deaf.

S.S.E is when people talk in normal English whilst signing the most important words for clarification. So, if I was to ask ‘do you want some food?’ I would do the sign for food at the same time as asking.
This is used with people who are mildly deaf- so can hear the words but have difficulty being sure. The signs put everything in context and make it easier to understand.

S.E is when EVERY word is signed, in the correct English order. This is for people who are only moderately deaf, or severely deaf but do not want to use BSL structure. This way of signing in incredibly long, hence why BSL was created.

Makaton is commonly for young children, who may be unable to talk rather then deaf. Also used by people with learning difficulties, such as downs syndrome. They use very basic signs to say only a few important words. For example, if I said ‘give me that bear’ in Makaton I would say/ lip pattern ‘give me that bear’ whilst doing the sign for ‘bear’.

Here is a site that goes into a bit more detail: http://www.underfives.co.uk/signs.htm