LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 21:5 May 2021
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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The Translation of the Constitution of India in the Indian Sign Language:
Necessity & Significance

Mohammad Shamim Ansari
M.Sc. (Audiology & Speech Rehabilitation)

Abstract

The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India. It is available in 23 languages and in braille format it is under its way to ensure that it is accessible to almost all Indians. Persons with hearing impairment are not exceptional and have right to access the Constitution of India in their own language for their information and education, to increase awareness & gain knowledge; and to improve self-esteem, etc. However, there are no efforts documented in literature to translate the Indian Constitution in Indian sign language for persons with hearing impairment. Though, India houses the largest portion of population with hearing impairment in the world. This article attempts to advocate the translation of Indian Constitutions in Indian Sign Language by delineating its need and significance. It also tries to convince all stakeholders of hearing impairment by scrutinizing RPWD Act, 2016 to understand its implications for ensuring accessibility of information and education to persons with hearing impairment.

Keywords: Indian Constitution, Indian Sign Language, Hearing Impairment, Accessibility, Right to Education Act-2010, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act-2016

Introduction

The word ‘Constitution’ is a derived from French which means body of fundamental principles or established guidelines to govern a state, country, or other organization. The constitution of any country describes the duties, rules, and regulations, which helps a country in governing itself. Thus, almost every country has its own constitution including India. The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India, which was passed by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950 (Bakshi, P. M., & Kashyap, S. C., 1982). Every year, the country celebrates 26 January as Republic Day (a national festival) as the day of adoption of the Constitution. Dr B. R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of Indian Constitution committee and is considered as the Father of Indian Constitution.

The Indian Constitution is the world's lengthiest written document for a sovereign nation and the second-longest active constitution in the world, after the Constitution of Alabama. The constitution has a preamble and 448 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts, 12 schedules and five appendices. The constitution of India has been amended 103 times; the latest amendment became effective on 14 January 2019 (Sharma, B. K. 2021). The original constitution of India document implemented in 1950 is preserved in a helium filled case at the Parliament house in New Delhi. Apart from the English version, an official Hindi translation is also available.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Mohammad Shamim Ansari
M.Sc. (Audiology & Speech Rehabilitation)
Lecturer (Speech & Hearing)
AYJNISHD (D), K. C. Marg, Bandra (W), Mumbai-400050
Maharashtra, India
msansari5000@yahoo.com
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