Mongolia has unveiled its first-ever online Sign Language Dictionary, a groundbreaking resource designed to provide an easy-to-use, quick, and accessible guide to Mongolian Sign Language (MSL). This digital dictionary is a valuable tool for MSL experts, teachers, researchers, the deaf community, interpreters, and the public. The platform is available free of charge, ensuring that it is widely accessible to those in need.
The project was made possible through the financial support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Finnish Lutheran Overseas Mission. It was developed in partnership with the Tegsh Tusgal NGO and has been implemented over a four-year period, from 2021 to 2024. The initiative plays a crucial role in improving linguistic education and information accessibility.
The development of the dictionary is based on an extensive nationwide survey conducted across the country. The research team, consisting of MSL experts, traveled over 24,440 kilometers, visiting 21 provinces and nine districts, and conducting interviews with over 90 individuals aged 18 and older from the deaf community. These interviews, which gathered essential data on MSL usage and its evolution, formed the foundation of the dictionary. Among those surveyed, 40 were female, 50 male, with 77 individuals being completely deaf and 13 with partial hearing loss.
The project’s partners believe that the launch of this online MSL dictionary will have a profound impact on several fronts. First, it will foster increased social participation and inclusion for deaf individuals, strengthening their access to education, services, and opportunities. The platform will also contribute to the preservation and development of MSL, helping document its rules and structure in a digital format for future generations. Furthermore, it will serve as an essential tool for MSL researchers and practitioners, facilitating language standardization and usage across various sectors.
The creators have emphasized the importance of this dictionary in both empowering the deaf community and ensuring that MSL is preserved and enriched in the digital environment. With the rise of online platforms, having a reliable and accessible resource for MSL is a significant step forward in achieving linguistic equity and inclusivity.
Moreover, the online dictionary can be accessed at https://mnsl.mn/, where users can explore the vast array of signs and educational resources available. This initiative represents a crucial step in enhancing the lives of the hearing-impaired community in Mongolia, and it aligns with global efforts to create more inclusive societies where all languages, including sign languages, are recognized and supported.
