The Communication Centre for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
New videos published on Signwiki
20th February 2025
During the day, the Communication Centre published videos of two of the oldest speakers of Icelandic sign language, which are available. They are important links in the history of dub and Icelandic sign language in Iceland. These videos are of Ragnar Erlendsson and Þorsteinn Þorgeirsson.
Ragnar Erlendsson was born in Reykjavík on 3 June 1911 and died there on 18 August 1998.
After studying at the Heyrnleysingjaskólinn in Stakkholt, Ragnar worked for Hitaveita Reykjavíkur for decades. He was a natural lover and his interests were often expressed in artistic ways, for example by painting and taking pictures.
Árnason interviewed Ragnar outside Vinahlíð in 1993. He told us about his school, his childhood and his work.
Þorsteinn Þorgeirsson was born in Lambastaðir in Gardur on December 4, 1913 and lived there until his death on March 6, 2001.
Þorsteinn, called Steini, was one of twelve siblings. He worked in the fishing industry from an early age and, among other things, owned and operated the motorboat Þorsteinn GK 327 all the time.
In 1995 Daníel Jacob Jensen interviewed Þorsteinn at his home in Garður. In the interview he tells us about his upbringing, family, school and work.
Ragnar and Þorsteinn were active members of the community of the deaf in Reykjavík and were among the founding members of the Association of the Deaf on 11 February 1960.
Here is link to videos in Signwiki
