Is sign language truly universal? Well, let's break it down—spoiler alert: it's not!
First of all, let me introduce myself; my name is Elisa and I am CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Both my parents are Deaf and Spanish Sign Language (LSE) is my mother tongue, then spoken and written Spanish, followed by English, with a little BSL thrown in for good measure!
As the Digital Marketing Specialist at Deaf Umbrella I plan, develop and execute the marketing campaigns online and one of my duties is to raise Deaf Awareness, not only because it is one of the main objectives of this company, but also because it is in my blood.
Throughout my life, I've been repeatedly asked if sign language is universal, and people are often quite surprised to find out that it is not. Their next question usually is, "WHY NOT?!"
Just like spoken languages, sign languages evolve in their own contexts, influenced by cultural nuances and regional variations. While gestures and basic communication principles may be universal, the intricacies of grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context vary widely. This diversity enriches the tapestry of human communication, reflecting the richness of global diversity.
Please, remember; Sign languages are independent of spoken languages and follow their own paths of development.
For example, although the hearing people of Spain and Argentina (or Chile, Costa Rica, México...) share the same spoken language, the Spanish Sign language (LSE) and Argentine Sign Language (LSA) are quite different and mutually unintelligible.
Similarly, countries which use a single spoken language throughout may have two or more sign languages (Great Britain is an example of this with each part of the UK having a variation of BSL unique to itself), or an area that contains more than one spoken language, like South Africa which has 11 official spoken languages, might use only one sign language.
Sign languages evolve wherever there are Deaf people, and they show all the variation you would expect from different spoken languages. There are regional dialects and “accents” which are present in every language.
As proof, let me show you a video I filmed with my colleague Lorraine. In the clip, Lorraine signs in British Sign Language (BSL) while I sign in Spanish Sign Language (LSE). It's fascinating to see how different sign languages can be, even though they serve the same purpose. Spot the differences for yourself:
Of course we need to mention that there is an International Sign Language (IS) that is not as conventionalised or complex as natural sign languages, and has a limited lexicon.
It is used in international meetings such as the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), events such as the Deaflympics’ or informally when travelling and socialising (although from my own experience, with my parents -they don't know IS – but travel around the world with their innate ability to communicate with everybody, deaf, hearing, or in another languages... better than me; guaranteed!).
Said that, next time you're tempted to ask if sign language is universal, remember—just like there's no one "correct" way to enjoy pizza toppings, there's no universal sign language. Embrace the diversity, learn a few signs, and appreciate the colourful world of sign languages.
Is sign language universal? Not really! Each region has its unique version, much like accents in spoken languages. Imagine trying to "sign" your way through a comedy show and realizing the punchline doesn’t translate! Speaking of translations, find seamless living at our Girls PG in Satya Niketan—where everyone understands comfort!