Co Down’s Peter Gault was 17 when he first saw someone use sign language. It happened when he turned up for the first day of a summer tennis coaching job only to discover that the school was aimed at deaf children.
Although initially apprehensive about how to respond to the children and fellow coaches around him, it was an experience which proved life transforming personally and professionally.
“I had no idea what sign language was and when I arrived at the courts there were two sign language interpreters.I thought ‘this isn’t me’ and when I went home, I didn’t think I would go back, but I’m glad I did,” says the now 24-year-old.
Anthony Sinclair, who runs the summer camp, is a former Ulster youth tennis player and gold medal winner at the Deaflympics.
Profoundly deaf since bith, he runs Sign Source, one of Northern Ireland’s best known British Sign Language (BSL) teaching and deaf culture and awareness schools and is an active campaigner for deaf rights.
Anthony believes sport is a great connector which is why he runs his camps and after-school clubs where all kids can come and learn sign language.
“I remember a few days in I felt so frustrated because I couldn’t communicate at all with Anthony. I had gone 17 years without ever knowing about the deaf community or BSL and that shocked me,” recalls Peter.
“I felt really guilty that I couldn’t even say ‘Hi’ without needing an interpreter. I love languages and was planning to study French and Spanish at university, so I really felt the need to make the effort to learn this new language of signing.
“I remember we had a laugh one morning when I decided to teach myself how to say good morning.
“I was so pleased to be able to sign to Anthony and suddenly everyone burst out laughing. I had learnt the English version and Anthony just turned to me and said; “In Northern Ireland this is how we say good morning” and showed me how to do it.”
When he started his languages degree at Queen’s University, Peter also signed up with Anthony’s school to learn sign language. He has studied to level five and is currently on the final and highest level six.
Fast forward six years, Peter is currently on the final and highest level six course and is hoping to one day teach in a deaf school.
Through his new friendship with Anthony, he also started to go to deaf clubs and events locally and soon found a new circle of friends.
Those friendships allowed him, for the first time, to fully embrace his sexuality as a gay man.
I am so grateful that I was given the chance to meet this wonderful, friendly community who have changed my life.
— Peter Gault
Growing up in the quiet town of Cloughey on the Ards Peninsula, Peter admits he always felt “like a fish out of water”.
Even after coming to study in Belfast, Peter admits he didn’t know any members of the LGBT community.
“I had never felt that sense of belonging before in the LGBT community, and I had joined a deaf group in Belfast who were taking part in Pride.
“Those connections helped me to discover myself and I am grateful for that. It was liberating being able to have these conversations which I wouldn’t have with straight people in a safe space.
“Having deaf friends has also given me the courage to relocate to Bath to study for my teaching qualification.
Sign language is a language of need and learning it not only benefits children cognitively, but it also opens a journey of diversity and inclusivity that will be of great benefit to society.
— Anthony Sinclair
“That support network I found in the deaf community is a big thing and we all just have so much fun.”
Peter has shared his story in the hope of encouraging others to be more aware of the vibrant deaf community in Northern Ireland.
“People are missing out on so much by not being able to sign and interact with the deaf community.
“I am so grateful that fate intervened for me and gave me that chance to meet Anthony through whom I have met so many wonderful people in the deaf community as well as my best friends.”
In Northern Ireland there are around 4,500 BSL users with a further 1,500 using Irish Sign Language.
Anthony, who is a qualified teacher with a PGCE in teaching sign language, wants to see sign language introduced into the school curriculum in Northern Ireland at a very young age.
“We believe it’s a win-win outcome giving all children a new language, learning and cultural experience and deaf children, automatic inclusion. Our ambition is to make this a reality and we will be campaigning on it.
“Our three children have been signing from birth and there are so many advantages to it. The younger you start them, the better. It has added layers of language, culture and experience to their little lives and is a joy to behold.
“Sign language is a language of need and learning it not only benefits children cognitively, but it also opens a journey of diversity and inclusivity that will be of great benefit to society.”
With his own life transformed after his accidental introduction to the deaf community Peter is now an ardent supporter of sign language and supports Anthony’s campaign to have it introduced into the curriculum.
“I think something has to change as we are quite behind when it comes to sign language. Deaf people live really full lives and what they can give us is really rewarding.
“If sign language had been an option at GCSE I have no doubt I would have studied it. Deaf people can’t learn to hear but we can learn how to speak with them.
“People are missing out and I am so grateful that I was given the chance to meet this wonderful, friendly community who have changed my life.”
