If you’ve recently started to experience hearing loss, you might have come across something called Sign Supported English, or SSE for short. It’s often taught in lipreading and communication classes aimed at adults who’ve lost their hearing later in life. But is SSE a real sign language?
That’s a question that sparks strong opinions—and the answer depends on how you define a “real” sign language.
What Is Sign Supported English?
SSE is not its own language. It’s a communication method that uses signs borrowed from British Sign Language (BSL), but with spoken or written English grammar and word order.
Think of it as English… with signs added for support.
People who use SSE will usually speak at the same time as they sign, using the structure of English rather than the grammar of BSL, which is a fully-fledged visual language with its own syntax and rules. SSE can be incredibly helpful for people who:
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Grew up speaking English
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Have acquired deafness later in life
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Use hearing aids or cochlear implants
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Can still hear some speech sounds
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Rely heavily on lipreading
By combining signs with spoken English, SSE can reinforce understanding—especially in noisy environments or when the speaker’s mouth is hard to see.
What Do BSL Users Think?
Many Deaf BSL users would say that SSE is not a real sign language, and they’re right—linguistically speaking.
BSL is a complete, natural language with its own structure, vocabulary, and cultural significance. It’s not just “English on the hands.” Using BSL means thinking visually, using facial expressions as grammar, and following a different word order altogether.
From that perspective, SSE isn’t a true language, because it doesn’t stand alone. It’s always tethered to English.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not useful or meaningful.
A Bridge for Those With Acquired Deafness
For many people who lose their hearing after childhood, learning BSL can feel like learning a completely foreign language—and that can be overwhelming.
SSE offers a gentle introduction. It helps people stay connected to spoken English while adding visual cues to aid comprehension. It can be especially powerful when used alongside lipreading, giving people multiple ways to piece together meaning in conversation.
In this way, SSE can serve as a bridge—not just to better communication, but sometimes as a stepping stone toward learning full BSL later on.
Is There an American Equivalent?
Yes, there is! In the United States, the equivalent system is called Signed Exact English (SEE) or sometimes Manually Coded English (MCE).
Like SSE, SEE is not a true sign language. It uses signs from American Sign Language (ASL) but follows English grammar and word order. It was originally developed to support the teaching of English literacy in Deaf children, but it’s also used by some people with acquired hearing loss or those who want to support spoken English with signs.
ASL, like BSL, is a complete visual language in its own right. And just like in the UK, many ASL users do not consider SEE to be a “real” sign language, although they may acknowledge its usefulness in certain contexts.
So… Is SSE Real?
If by “real” we mean a complete and natural language, then no—SSE is not. But if we mean a powerful, practical tool that helps people communicate and connect, then absolutely yes.
At Hearing Ambassadors, we believe in supporting every kind of communication that helps people feel included, confident, and heard—whether that’s BSL, SSE, lipreading, or a mix of all three.
If you or someone you love is exploring new ways to communicate after hearing loss, don’t be put off by labels. The best method is the one that works for you.
Check out more of our articles on sign language in our Hear Hub
