Got a question. I’m sure someone out there knows the answer. Is sign language a universal language? Or, does each utilize it’s own unique signing? It seems to me that sign language would more or less be universal. But, don’t know. So, thought I would ask.
I know ASL. There are some regional dialects.
Some signs are specific to certain regions.
I’ve often wondered that too.
“Each region’s own sign is preferred for country and city names. This may be used in conjunction with spelling and classifying for the first instance, and the indigenous sign used alone from then on.”
See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Sign
Apparently, each region/country has it’s own “indigenous” sign language.
It’s interesting because one would think there would be a natural tendancy to make an international sign language work. Apparently it’s the reverse: there is a natural tendancy to have different languages.
See also here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sign_languages
I'm an interpreter for the deaf. The short answer is no. Each country tends to have its own form of sign language. In the United States we use American Sign Language (ASL). That being said, my deaf wife had been a volunteer to assist incoming students when she was an undergrad at Gallaudet University, and had the opportunity to meet deaf kids from all over the world. The ones from other countries had to first be immersed in ASL before they could take regular courses. She told me, however, that even though they signed differently, they soon managed to communicate to each other fairly well, using gestures. You'd be amazed.
No. Each language has it’s own sign language. Even a difference between British and American sign language.