Sign language has been researched and documented only since the second half of the 20th century. Until then, sign language was not taught in schools; deaf children were supposed to learn to lip-read or imitate sounds themselves. But lip-reading is not only tedious and quickly offers numerous sources of error, it also makes learning more difficult, which had a negative effect on writing and reading. Due to these circumstances, German Sign Language is more orally oriented and uses mouth positions along with facial expressions and hand gestures. In German Sign Language there are six basic hand forms and about 32 hand forms, which are complemented by the finger alphabet. The vocabulary of sign language itself did not develop in imitation of the spoken language, but independently. Becoming familiar with sign language provides insights into a completely visual form of communication that involves the whole body, so that people perceive each other much better, observe each other more closely, and focus much more on each other. This contributes to a sensitivity for language & communication, but also expands one's own possibilities of expression.

Through funding from the Equality and Diversity Incentive Fund, language courses will be offered through the Center for Continuing Education starting in April 2022, which provide an opportunity to learn basic German Sign Language and can be attended by both students and employees of TU Dresden. The courses raise awareness for communication differences (e.g. the interplay of speech and facial expressions) and enable the acquisition of the finger alphabet as well as getting to know individual signs for daily (professional) practice.