It is a predecessor to several other sign languages including ASL, ISL and RSL. Chinese Sign Language uses one hand to visually represent the written Chinese characters.įrench Sign Language is one of the oldest European Sign Languages. The most popular among them is the Shanghai CSL. There are various dialects of the Chinese Sign Language. But, again, ASL and CSL are two distinct sign languages, each affected by their own local cultures. The first Chinese school for the deaf was opened by the American Missionaries and hence the Chinese Sign Language is somewhat influenced by the American Sign Language. Alphabets in BANZSL need to be finger-spelled using both hands. This is the reason they are grouped as BANZSL.
Some Sign language experts say that they can at max be called a dialect of the same sign language. ASL uses the one-hand fingerspelling method for the English Alphabet.īritish, Australian and New Zealand Sign Language (BANZSL)īritish Sign Language, Australian Sign Language and New Zealand Sign Language are so similar in their grammar, vocabulary and alphabets that they are considered to be a single language. ASL is considered to be a descendant of French Sign Language that is also influenced by Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language and some other local sign languages.
Sentence formation or the sequence of words in a sentence is different in ASL as compared to English because of its unique grammar rules. Although it contains the same alphabets as English, it is not a subset of the English language. One of the most popular sign languages around the world is American Sign Language. Here we are sharing sign language alphabets used in different parts of the world. Some sign languages use a single hand to spell each letter while there are languages that require both hands to spell the letters. Fingerspelling is used to spell such things that do not have an established sign in the given sign language. One of the major components of Sign Language is Fingerspelling – the use of hands to represent individual letters of a written language. Major Sign Language Alphabets used Around the World Moreover, sign language can prove to be useful for non-disabled people too in some circumstances. But, sign languages can be useful for others such as people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome etc. Though it’s a common belief that sign language is a mode of communication for the deaf and people who are hard of hearing. Gesture, facial expression and body language play an important role in the interpretation of sign language. Similarly, sign language is never completely based on the fingerspelling alone. Words used in the spoken language are important but the entire meaning of dialogue is interpreted based on the body language, pitch and intonation of the voice of the speaker in addition to those words. English, for example, is a language used widely but different countries have different fingerspelling for the same English Alphabet (we will see this further). Therefore, countries sharing the same spoken language do not necessarily share the same sign language. All the sign languages have developed independently as a mode of communication and not a ‘finger-interpretation’ of the spoken languages. Sign Languages as Compared to Written or Oral LanguagesĪ sign language is actually a language and not a direct translation of the written or oral languages. Through this article, we will take you on a trip around the globe to explore some of the major sign languages of the world.īut, before we introduce you to different sign language alphabets, let us understand a few basics about ‘Sign Languages’. In fingerspelling, distinct hand and finger arrangements and movements are used to represent alphabets and numbers. Fingerspelling is the representation of the letters and numeral of a writing system using only the hands. These sign languages use fingerspelling as tool to convey meaning. More than 300 types of sign languages exist around the world. Most people tend to believe that there is a universal sign language that is understood by all deaf persons in the world. It is surprising for a non-deaf person or those who do not use sign language that there exists more than one sign language. Share on Twitter Facebook WhatsApp ☰ More
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