''Hands off our language!''

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In the absence of standardized varieties of British Sign Language (BSL) and German Sign Language (DGS), there have been calls for standardization, primarily from outside the deaf communities. Proponents argue that standard varieties could enhance political recognition and establish linguistic norms, allowing sign language users better access to education, administration, and commerce. However, much of the research on standardization tends to focus on linguistic aspects, often neglecting social-theoretical perspectives. This study addresses this gap by examining sign language standardization through the lens of deaf sign language teachers. Utilizing a comparative approach, findings are derived from 17 in-depth interviews conducted in Germany and the UK, analyzed using Grounded Theory. Participants in both countries viewed standardization as externally imposed language change aimed at eliminating regional dialects. Unlike hearing learners, they valued regional variation in BSL and DGS, perceiving standardization as a threat to these languages. Additionally, the topic was seen as reflecting the hegemony of hearing individuals, highlighting existing power imbalances between deaf people and hearing stakeholders in political and educational contexts. This research offers new insights into perceptions of sign language standardization in the UK and Germany, contributing to the fields of sign language sociolinguistics, standardization,