What is sign language?

Language

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by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

When a person refers to “sign language,” they are usually referring to any one of many languages that are spoken using signs made with the hands, arms, body, expressions of the face, gestures, and other movements. While many people think of sign language as the physically-expressed version of a spoken language, sign languages are actually considered complete languages of their own, independent of any spoken language!

Sign language is often used by people who are deaf and cannot hear. There are many kinds of sign language spoken in different places all over the world. – In the United States, for example, American Sign Language (ASL) is primarily used, while in the United Kingdom, British Sign Language is most commonly used. Although it may seem that all forms of sign language are universal, in truth they are usually very different from one another!

In the United States, American Sign Language is now thought to be the fourth most commonly used language!

Follow the signs

Do you know anyone who speaks sign language? Maybe you already know a little bit of sign language yourself!

Go to the library and see if you can find a beginner-level book for learning a few signs! Learn how to say a few things, such as “how are you?” and “thank you.” Practice your new signs with your friends and family!