The objectives of the project were To explore the linguistic evolution of signs in Italian Sign Language (LIS) and Spanish Sign Language (LSE) through etymological research and comparison. Creating valuable resources and new approaches for teachers of these languages, for deaf communities, linguists and interpreters. To promote linguistic awareness among students, but also (and perhaps above all) to recognise the historical and cultural dimension of sign languages. Promote exchanges between deaf Spanish sign language teachers at the Gaudem school and deaf Italians sign language teachers from the Ergon association.
The most common stereotype to be deconstructed concerns the status of sign languages, which are (too) often mistakenly considered artificial forms of communication with no scientific or cultural value. Today, sign languages are recognised as true languages. Italian Sign Language (LIS) was recognised as an official language in the Italian Constitution (Art. 34-ter) in 2021. While, the Spanish Sign Language (LSE) with Law 27/2007, of 23 October. Through the collection of material in both LIS and LSE and interlinguistic comparison, the project aims to restore the linguistic and cultural value that has been denied to sign languages since 1880 and to provide sign language teachers with the tools for a holistic approach to teaching.