Discover Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM), its role in Deaf communities, and how learning it promotes inclusion, connection, and respect for all!
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22 Sep 2025
4 Min Read
Chan Huey Qing (Student Writer)
Discover Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM), its role in Deaf communities, and how learning it promotes inclusion, connection, and respect for all!
We grow up learning that language is central to connection. That’s why we study English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil in school. Yet for many of us, Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM)—the first language of many Deaf Malaysians—isn’t even part of the picture. Why is that?
Outside the Deaf community, sign language is rarely recognised as a full language. Many hearing people dismiss it as a set of gestures or learn only a few signs, often just to appear polite. But sign language isn’t simply about politeness. It shapes how the Deaf community expresses who they are, how they understand the world, and how they experience a sense of belonging.
So, this International Day of Sign Languages, let’s pause to take a closer look at BIM—what it is, what it isn’t, and how anyone can begin to learn it.
BIM is the official sign language of Malaysia’s Deaf community and was formally recognised by the government in 2008 through the Persons with Disabilities Act. But long before that, BIM had already been in use for decades, shaped by the lives and experiences of Deaf Malaysians.
BIM is a full-fledged visual language with its own grammar, sentence structure, and syntax. It uses handshapes, facial expressions, space, and body movement to convey meaning. It communicates not only words but also tone, emotion, and intent. You wouldn’t translate Malay directly into BIM any more than you’d translate English into Mandarin word for word.
BIM has roots in regional sign languages, such as Penang Sign Language and Selangor Sign Language, and it’s also been influenced by American Sign Language (ASL). The early Deaf schools in Malaysia and Deaf teachers who built communities across the country played a key role in establishing BIM’s foundations. Over time, BIM developed into its own unique language, reflecting the culture, diversity, and resilience of its users.
Today, organisations such as the Malaysia Federation of the Deaf (MFD) and the Interpreters and Translators Association for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Deaf Community (JUPEBIM) continue to support the development and visibility of BIM, from documentation efforts to community classes and interpretation services.
Recognising BIM as a real language isn’t merely a linguistic matter; it’s a human rights issue. Everyone deserves access to language—the gateway to education, safety, and connection.
Even as awareness grows, misconceptions about sign languages are still common. These myths often shape how people view and interact with Deaf communities—including in Malaysia—and not always in helpful ways. Let’s set the record straight:
You don’t need to become fluent overnight. Inclusion starts with small, meaningful steps, and learning BIM can feel surprisingly intuitive.
Here’s how you can begin:
Remember, learning BIM isn’t just about memorising signs—it’s about building relationships and recognising that communication is a shared responsibility.
For many Deaf Malaysians, the lack of language access is far more than a minor inconvenience. It limits education, closes doors to employment, complicates healthcare, and compromises safety. Most of all, it excludes people from conversations and opportunities that others take for granted.
BIM isn’t just a set of hand signs—it’s a living language, a cultural identity, and a vital link to community. Yet, to many outside the Deaf community, it remains invisible. That’s why even little actions matter. Learning BIM, even just a few signs, helps challenge that invisibility and makes everyday interactions more inclusive. It’s a gesture of respect, a way of opening doors, and a reminder that no one should be left out simply because their language looks different from ours.
And the good news is, you don’t need to be fluent. You just need to begin—and in doing so, you help break the silence.
Chan Huey Qing is currently pursuing a Foundation in Arts at Taylor's College. With her heart in community work and her hands in student leadership, she believes change begins with listening—and acting on it.
