CUHK Research: Changing the world

Although the 2021 Census reported 314,800 local persons with varying degrees of hearing difficulty, the lack of understanding and misconceptions about sign language means these people are rarely provided appropriate support in pursuing education. Oftentimes, they end up with low literacy skills and lack the means to participate fully in society or receive tertiary education. To fill this gap, CUHK established the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies in 2003. It is currently managed by Professors Gladys Tang Wai-lan and Felix Sze Yim Binh, both from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages. “Back then, no university in Asia had a centre that focused on sign language research. So we thought we had a responsibility as linguists to develop this research at CUHK,” says Professor Tang. The Centre’s Asia Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Program (APSL) has enabled many deaf and hearing adults, both local and international, to study sign linguistics and engage in sign language research at CUHK, resulting in the creation of the award-winning Asian SignBank. The professors are also eager to establish this discipline in other Asian countries, where according to Professor Sze people do not see deaf people as “minority language groups” but as “persons with disabilities”. Therefore, the Centre has made it its mission to work with Asian universities, governments and deaf associations in establishing the disciplines of sign linguistics, deaf studies and sign language education to change their attitudes. Locally, the Centre also conducts inclusive education research. It received HK $64 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in 2006 to develop the Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrollment Education (SLCO) Programme, which benefits deaf and hearing children from kindergarten to secondary education. Years of effort have established CUHK as the hub for research and training in sign linguistics and deaf education in Asia. Currently, the Centre’s outreach covers countries from Japan to Fiji. Its efforts to push for quality education for the deaf using the SLCO approach have also been recognised worldwide. “Occasionally, some education conferences invite us to form an independent panel to exchange CUHK’s research findings with peers in the field.” Now entering its third decade of existence, the Centre continues to develop multidisciplinary projects to support deaf people in all walks of life, collaborating with researchers from the Faculties of Engineering, Law and Social Sciences in a bid to enable communication between deaf and hearing populations. Professor Sze’s recent projects, such as mental health and sex education of deaf people, have drawn attention locally, and both professors are partnering with Google (Asia) to develop SignTown, a project utilising sign recognition research to promote sign language learning at a global level. “Other professors may place great emphasis on what topics are more publishable when they embark on research projects,” says Professor Sze. “But our research agendas are formulated based on the needs of deaf people.” Sign language and deaf studies Gladys Tang Wai-lan Professor of Linguistics Felix Sze Yim Binh Associate Professor of Linguistics Helping the hard of hearing 80