The Difference Between Makaton and BSL

British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton are both sign and symbol languages that offer alternative ways of communication. However, Makaton can be used alongside spoken language, while BSL cannot. The most significant difference between the two is that Makaton is often used to help people with learning and communication challenges, while BSL is the primary source of communication for people who have a decreased hearing capacity or are completely deaf. To gain more insight into the differences, we have provided information that will help you recognise them and make implementation easier.

Defining Makaton

Makaton is a communication system that uses symbols, signs and speech, developed in the early 1970s, to support people with communication difficulties to express themselves. The name comes from the speech and language therapists who created this communication method – Margaret Walker, Katherine Johnston and Tony Cornforth. Makaton incorporates spoken words and visual symbols and is similar to spoken language. Using signs and symbols, with speech, in spoken word order helps people with learning difficulties, autism, and communication difficulties to better express their thoughts. Most people who use Makaton are not considered a part of the Deaf community or as deaf people. Today, there are more than 100,000 people who use this language.

The goal of Makaton is to support children and adults to overcome obstacles to communication by being able to communicate with others more easily. Makaton opens up the opportunity to help people connect and communicate with others in an inclusive and meaningful way by breaking down communication barriers and frustrations of not being correctly understood. The Makaton system is based on the grammar structure of the English language and is mainly used in the UK, although 40 other countries have accepted it as a way of communication.

Exploring British Sign Language (BSL)

British Sign Language is the preferred sign language of about 150,000 people in the UK. It is a naturally evolving language with its own vocabulary and grammar, and unlike Makaton, it is not dependent on spoken English.

BSL has evolved over the years and became recognised as an official language in the UK in 2003, designed to support spoken language. Some parts of the UK have developed their own unique dialects and colloquialisms, which means that some people living in the south of England may use different signs to communicate with others living in Scotland or the North.

Other elements significantly impacting how sign language is communicated include gestures, facial expressions and body language, which help make the language unique for every region. BSL is mainly used by people with hearing loss, their friends and family and other communication professionals.

The Distinction Between Makaton and BSL

Makaton and British Sign Language are completely different, and different communities use them. Makaton combines signing, symbols and speech that help people with communication or learning difficulties. It is not a complete language like British Sign Language, but it is a supporting communication system that uses its own signs, some BSL signs, and spoken English words and symbols. Makaton is a crucial communication method for more than 100,000 people across the UK.

BSL is a complete, naturally developed language with an extensive vocabulary and syntax, mainly used by the Deaf community. In the UK, around 145,000 people use BSL to communicate. People who start learning sign language usually begin by using basic signs with English lip patterns before understanding the linguistic elements of British Sign Language. BSL is not an international language since hundreds of sign languages exist worldwide. BSL is independent of English and evolved over centuries by developing complex grammar and facial and body movements, becoming a rich and culturally significant language.

Similarities Between Makaton and BSL

While they are used for different reasons, there are many similarities between Makaton and British Sign Language.

Some of the similarities include:

Visual Communication: Both Makaton and BSL are visual forms of communication. They convey meaning through hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements.
Use of Signs: Makaton and BSL use signs to represent words or concepts. However, the complexity and structure of the signs differ between the two systems.
Enhanced Communication: Both systems aim to improve communication for people with difficulty expressing themselves. They provide alternative means of communication accessible to people with hearing loss or other communication challenges.
Facial Expressions: Both Makaton and BSL value facial expressions as they play a crucial role in conveying nuances of meaning and emotion.
Gesture-Based: Makaton and BSL are gesture-based forms of communication, meaning they rely on physical movements to convey meaning rather than auditory cues.
Community Usage: Both Makaton and BSL have communities of users who learn and utilise the systems for communication. However, BSL is more widely used within the Deaf community as a primary means of communication. In contrast, Makaton is often used as a supplementary tool for people with various communication needs, including those with developmental disabilities or communication difficulties.

While there are similarities, it’s important to note that Makaton and BSL are distinct communication systems with different purposes, users, and structures. Makaton is often used alongside speech to support communication and language development. At the same time, BSL is a complete language with grammar and syntax used by the Deaf community as their primary means of communication.

When Makaton and BSL Are Used

✅ Use Makaton if:	✅ Use BSL if:
You’re working with people who have speech or learning difficulties.	You are communicating with Deaf people who use sign language as their first language.
You’re teaching young children basic communication.	You want to learn a whole, independent language.
You want a speech-support tool rather than an entire language.	You need a recognised language for professional interpretation.

Makaton is helpful for children and adults of any age with various communication or speech needs. It is used by a range of people, including people with a learning difficulty, people whose first language is not English or people who have lost their speech abilities because of an injury or illness.

Makaton can also help people living with:

Makaton is also used to teach communication and skills development to children if they face difficulties with their verbal language skills. This method is used in mainstream schools to support all children in developing communication and literacy skills and supporting integration between children.

BSL is the primary language of the Deaf community in the UK, with more than 87,000 people in the UK using it as their first language. It is also estimated that 125,000 adults and 20,000 children use BSL to communicate.

Significance and Impact

Developed to close the gap between spoken words and languages and sign languages, Makaton’s signs and symbols create an inclusive way of communication. Makaton’s power lies in breaking down barriers and enhancing connections between people. Makaton’s universal language helps unify hearts and minds and nurture a world where compassion and empathy thrive.

Children with a learning disability often face challenges in expressing themselves, and Makaton serves as a bridge between their intentions and effective communication by fostering language skills. Makaton’s inclusive nature nurtures social interaction and facilitates stronger connections between healthcare professionals, caregivers and the people they serve.

British Sign Language also enables people to meaningfully engage with each other and boost autonomy while improving the quality of life. Its adaptability makes it indispensable for facilitating more transparent communication, promoting mental well-being, and delivering a person-centred care practice. It is also important to note that people can learn BSL and Makaton to participate in communication with the entire community actively.

The Impact on Inclusion and Social Participation

Initiatives to promote BSL have furthered social inclusion. For example, neighbors learned BSL in Worcester to enable a six-year-old deaf girl to participate in trick-or-treating for the first time, fostering community engagement and inclusion. Additionally, Paramount Pictures’ decision to screen captioned films before general release has improved accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, improving their social participation in cultural events.

Advocacy by public figures like Rose Ayling-Ellis, the first deaf presenter of live sports coverage on British television, has raised awareness about the Deaf community and BSL, promoting inclusivity and inspiring others.

Makaton Training for Clinicians with Unique Community Services

Unique Community Services provides proactive Makaton training. We accommodate beginners and advanced participants by delivering a carefully developed course that can equip our support workers and care teams with the proper tools to provide humanised care.

We offer training sessions delivered in a classroom-based format over Zoom and hands-on practical sessions. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate that they have completed the training.

Unique Community Services is dedicated to fostering professional growth and supporting clinicians who seek to improve their skills and deliver bespoke care for people in complex situations with multiple needs, including autism and learning disabilities.

FAQs

Can a Deaf Person Understand Makaton?

A Deaf person fluent in BSL may recognise individual signs used in Makaton but could find the overall structure and communication method unfamiliar or challenging to understand. The British Deaf Association has expressed concerns about using sign-supported communication systems like Makaton, emphasising that they are not complete languages and advocating for teaching BSL to both hearing and Deaf individuals to facilitate effective communication within the Deaf community.

Which Countries Use Makaton?

While it is extensively used across the United Kingdom, Makaton has also been adapted in over 40 countries worldwide. Some of the countries where Makaton has been adopted include France, Japan, Greece, Russia, Kuwait and the Gulf, South Africa and Switzerland.

Can You Learn Makaton for Free?

Yes, learning Makaton for free through online resources, workshops, and community events is possible. Many organisations and educational institutions offer free materials to promote accessibility and inclusivity. Additionally, numerous online tutorials, videos, and printable resources are available for self-paced learning. While some advanced Makaton training programs and BSL courses may require a fee, individuals interested in acquiring basic skills can access a wealth of free resources to start their learning journey.

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A seasoned SEO Content Writer with more than five years of writing experience in the healthcare industry. She derives value from creating high-quality content that spreads awareness about mental health and people’s well-being.