Learning a new language usually means learning new words, sounds and sentences. But what if the language is expressed through your hands, face and body instead?
For people who are new to Malaysian Sign Language (BIM), learning the basics is not simply about memorising hand movements. BIM is a language in its own right, with its own grammar and structure, used by the Deaf community in Malaysia.
So, where should a beginner start?
Start with the right mindset
One of the first things to understand is that BIM is not simply Malay translated into hand movements.
MyBIM describes BIM as a fully independent language with its own grammatical structure. A sign conveys a concept rather than functioning as a direct replacement for an English or Malay word.
This means that learning BIM involves understanding how the language works, rather than simply memorising a list of signs.
Your hands are not working alone
When people think about sign language, they often focus on hand movements. But BIM involves several elements.
According to MyBIM’s BIM-English-Malay Handshape Dictionary, a sign word involves five parameters: hand shape, palm orientation, location, movement and non-manual signals.
Non-manual signals can include facial expressions and other movements that contribute to meaning.
So, simply copying the position of someone’s hands may not be enough. The way a sign is moved, where it is made and what the face and body are doing can all matter.
Learn useful everyday communication
Beginners can start with practical situations rather than trying to memorise hundreds of signs at once.
For example, a beginner course offered by Malaysia’s Institut Sosial Malaysia covers basic BIM communication, including introducing yourself and your family, talking about where you live, discussing work, and communicating about schedules and weather.
These are useful starting points because they allow learners to practise BIM in situations they are likely to encounter in everyday life.
Learn from the Deaf community
Videos and online resources can make learning more accessible, but learning directly from experienced BIM users can provide a better understanding of the language and Deaf culture.
MyBIM runs workshops covering basic BIM communication, Deaf identity, cultural norms, accessibility and inclusive interaction. Its programmes also use practical activities and real-life simulations to help participants develop communication skills.
The organisation also encourages hearing people who want to become allies to learn and respect BIM while working with, rather than simply for, the Deaf community.
Don’t assume all sign languages are the same
If you already know some American Sign Language (ASL) or British Sign Language (BSL), don’t assume the signs will be the same in Malaysia.
There are many different sign languages around the world, just as there are many spoken languages. MyBIM stresses that Malaysian Deaf people use BIM and that it should be identified specifically rather than simply described as “sign language”.
Learning BIM, therefore, is not just about learning a new way to communicate. It is also an opportunity to understand another language and the community that uses it.
For beginners, the best place to start is with curiosity, patience and respect — and to remember that becoming comfortable in a language takes time.
A useful resource
The BIM-English-Malay Handshape Dictionary, published by the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics at Universiti Malaya, is designed to support BIM learning. It organises signs by hand shape and provides information about their meaning and expression.
