Sign languages are not universal codes but diverse natural languages
In short: Many assume sign language is a global system of gestures, but it functions as a complex natural language with its own unique grammar. From the 5th century BC to modern-day communities, these visual-manual systems have evolved independently, forming the cultural bedrock for deaf and hard-of-hearing populations worldwide.
Sign languages are full-fledged natural languages that utilize a visual-manual modality rather than acoustic sound patterns. They share the same underlying language faculty as spoken (oral) languages, possessing their own distinct lexicons and grammars. However, they differ significantly in execution: while spoken languages rely on sound, sign languages combine hand shapes, orientation, movement of the arms or body, and facial expressions to convey meaning fluidly.
A common misconception is that sign language is universal. In reality, hundreds of different sign languages exist globally, often forming the core of local Deaf cultures. These languages are usually not mutually intelligible; for instance, each country generally has its own native sign language, with some nations hosting multiple versions. As of 2021, Indo-Pakistani Sign Language was identified as the most widely used in the world, ranking as the 156th most spoken language by Ethnologue.
The history of these languages is deeply rooted in human community. Records from the 16th century indicate that fully formed sign languages were already in use by Indigenous peoples of the Gulf Coast region before European arrival. While many pre-19th-century records only document manual alphabets (fingerspelling) designed to mirror spoken words, modern linguistics distinguishes these natural languages from constructed codes or 'home signs.' Today, while some sign languages have achieved legal recognition, others remain undocumented and unrecognized.
Sign language is not merely a tool for the deaf; it is also used by hearing individuals, including children of deaf adults (CODAs). It is also distinct from general body language, which is a type of nonverbal communication. Instead, sign language represents a sophisticated system where space itself is often used to structure grammar in ways that spoken languages do not.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sign language
- Also: Sign language
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