How many deaf people in the UK use British Sign Language as their first or preferred means of communication?

It's difficult to give an exact number of deaf people in the UK who use BSL as their first or preferred language. Here's why:

* No official census: The UK census doesn't collect data on language preferences, including sign language.

* Variations in definitions: "Deaf" and "BSL user" can be interpreted differently. Some people may be hard of hearing but use BSL as their primary language, while others may be deaf but use other communication methods.

* Data collection challenges: Collecting data on sign language use can be complex, as it often relies on self-reporting and may not accurately reflect the actual number of users.

However, some estimates exist:

* RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People): They estimate that around 150,000 people in the UK use BSL as their primary language.

* Deafblind UK: They estimate that there are around 2,000 deafblind people in the UK who use BSL.

It's important to note that these are estimations, and the actual number could be higher or lower.

Overall, while an exact number is unavailable, it's safe to say that a significant portion of deaf people in the UK use BSL as their primary language.