We invite you to join the next webinar in the “9 Months, 9 Universities” series, organised within the framework of the Arqus Plurilingual and Intercultural Hub. The session titled “Beyond words: What sign languages teach us about multilingualism, identity and human communication” will take place online on 28 April 2026 at 16:00 CEST.
This presentation will explore why sign languages must be included in discussions about multilingualism. Too often, multilingualism is understood only in relation to spoken languages. Sign languages remind us that language can also be visible, spatially organised and experienced through different modalities.
From a Deaf perspective, multilingualism also involves moving between languages, cultures, social expectations and different forms of communication. The webinar will highlight how sign languages are a central part of linguistic diversity and why they are essential for discussions on inclusion, teaching and higher education.
Using the University of Graz as an example, the presentation will show why a broader understanding of language and diversity is particularly important in the European higher education context.