Recently, I had a brilliant time at a British Sign Language (BSL) Quiz Night at Deaf Connections on Norfolk Street, Gorbals, said Colin Mackie.

Since attending classes at the Scottish Deaf Association in Washington Street from April 2006, my signing level has improved.

This sign language is unique because it requires you to ‘visually’ express yourself and makes learning all the more challenging and enjoyable. I was nervous at the start and hoped that my fingers wouldn’t let me down. I’m not used to my jaw muscles being stepped down a gear!

Once things got underway my memory for answers let me down not my fingers.

We were treated to some ‘signed songs’ by Gordon Whylie Black – his finger-flowing interpretation of the BeeGee classic ‘Night Fever’was brilliant. Full marks to all who took part and congratulations to my fellow classmates who help make the BSL journey all the more enjoyable. Mustn’t forget our teacher George McGowan, whose excellent way of putting things across helped us to ‘bridge the sound gap’.

Why not try learning a language? Let your fingers do the talking and see for yourself how useful and interesting BSL really is.

For further information on BSL and other issues concerning deafness, contact Scottish Deaf Association, Suite 222, The Pentagon, 36 Washington Street, G3 8AZ or email: georgem@bda.org.uk.