Azerbaijan creates first online sign language dictionary

The presentation of the website "jestdili.az" created with the financial support of "Nar" within the "Native Sign Language" project, one of the winners of the "Social Projects" competition announced by the "Regional Development" Public Union (RDPU) of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was held.

The presentation took place on September 23, the International Day of Sign Languages, and was attended by the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Linguistics named after Nasimi of ANAS, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, the Agency for Sustainable and Operational Social Security under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Regional Development Public Union, Representatives of Nar, and project participants.

A working group within the project implemented by the Deaf Support Public Union was established at the event with the participation of specialists from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, associate professors and teachers, and about 3,000 words had been translated into sign language. Words expressed through gestures by people with hearing and vision impairments are posted on the website www.jestdili.az in a photo and video format.

All speeches made at the presentation were also interpreted into sign language and brought to the guests' attention.

The project aims to increase the working ability of people with hearing and speech disabilities and develop a dictionary of sign language, which provides for the organization of communication with people around.