SIGN LANGUAGES Meaning and
Definition
-
Sign languages are complex and visual-gestural systems of communication used by deaf and hearing-impaired individuals worldwide. They are natural languages in their own right, with distinct grammatical structures and vocabulary. Unlike spoken languages that rely on sound, sign languages employ visual cues, including hand movements, facial expressions, body postures, and gestures. The primary means of communication in Deaf communities, sign languages enable individuals to convey and receive information, express emotions, discuss abstract concepts, and interact socially without the use of spoken words.
Each sign language has its own unique set of gestures or signs that have specific meanings. These signs can be combined in various ways to form meaningful sentences and convey thoughts. Just like spoken languages, sign languages evolve and have dialectal variations, influenced by regional or cultural differences.
Sign languages are not universal; different countries and regions have their own indigenous systems of signing, each with its own grammar and vocabulary. Some well-known sign languages include American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), Australian Sign Language (Auslan), and Japanese Sign Language (JSL). It is important to note that sign languages are distinct from systems such as manually coded languages, which are visual representations of spoken languages rather than independent linguistic systems.
Sign languages play a crucial role in promoting inclusion and access to information for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals. Recognizing the linguistic richness and cultural significance of sign languages is essential for fostering communication equality and supporting the rights of the Deaf community.
Common Misspellings for SIGN LANGUAGES
- aign languages
- zign languages
- xign languages
- dign languages
- eign languages
- wign languages
- sugn languages
- sjgn languages
- skgn languages
- sogn languages
- s9gn languages
- s8gn languages
- sifn languages
- sivn languages
- sibn languages
- sihn languages
- siyn languages
- sitn languages
- sigb languages
- sigm languages
Etymology of SIGN LANGUAGES
The term "Sign Language" is derived from a combination of the words "sign" and "language".
The word "sign" originated from the Old French term "signe", which itself came from the Latin word "signum" meaning "mark" or "token". In its most basic sense, "sign" refers to a symbol or action that conveys meaning or represents something else.
The word "language" has its roots in the Latin term "lingua", which denotes both the physical organ of speech and also human speech or the characteristic way of speaking particular to a group or region.
When combined, "sign" and "language" form the phrase "Sign Language" which refers to a system of communication that uses symbolically structured gestures, movements, and facial expressions to convey meaning.
