Here's a breakdown:
* Origins: BSL likely arose from a mix of influences, including:
* Sign languages used in Europe: These languages were brought to Britain by Deaf people traveling from other countries.
* Local sign systems: Deaf individuals in Britain also developed their own systems for communication within their communities.
* Development: BSL continued to develop and evolve as Deaf people interacted with each other and passed on their knowledge to future generations.
* Formalization: In the 19th century, attempts were made to standardize BSL, but these efforts were often met with resistance from the Deaf community, who saw them as attempts to impose hearing-centric rules and suppress their own language.
* Modern BSL: Today, BSL is a fully-fledged language with its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. It is a living and evolving language, constantly adapting to the needs of the Deaf community.
Therefore, BSL is not a creation of a single individual but a product of the collective history and culture of the Deaf community in Britain.