British Sign Language is a language in its own right. It is a fully functional and expressive language that differs profoundly from spoken languages. BSL is a visual-gestural language with a distinctive grammar using handshapes, facial expressions, gestures and body language to convey meaning.

For many Deaf BSL users it is their first language. English may be their second or even third language so it is very important for hearing people to understand that BSL is not a signed word for word version of English, which is often a common misconception

To promote the use of and understanding of BSL the council, South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire produced a Shared BSL Plan for Lanarkshire.