Irish Deaf Society Launches Groundbreaking English-ISL Dictionary

28th March 2025

The Irish Deaf Society is proud to launch the first phase of our ambitious English-Irish Sign Language (ISL) dictionary. Unlike traditional sign language glossaries, this innovative resource explains the meanings of English words entirely in ISL—just like an English-French dictionary, but in sign language.

This first stage introduces a glossary focused on employment-related terms, funded by Rethink Ireland. In the coming years, we aim to expand and build a comprehensive dictionary covering thousands of words. We invite individuals and organizations to contribute and help us reach our goal of explaining as many words as the Oxford Dictionary—an incredible 180,000!

This project marks a major step in supporting English literacy and comprehension within the Deaf community, empowering Deaf people to participate in society on an equal basis.

📖 Visit our new English-ISL Dictionary: irishdeafsociety.ie/dictionary

Published: 28th March 2025