* No official census: There isn't a dedicated census question about BSL usage in the UK, so official data is limited.
* Varying definitions of "user": What constitutes a BSL user? Does it mean fluent signers, people who are learning, or those who use it occasionally? This impacts the numbers significantly.
* Estimates vary: Different organizations and studies provide varying estimates, making it challenging to pin down a precise figure.
However, here's a general overview:
* The RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) estimates: The RNID estimates that there are approximately 151,000 deaf people in the UK who use BSL as their first or preferred language.
* Other estimates: Other sources suggest that the total number of people who use BSL in the UK could be as high as 250,000 or even higher.
It's important to note that these figures likely represent only a portion of the total number of people who have some exposure to BSL.
Remember: The number of BSL users is continually evolving as more people learn the language and access to resources improves.