Sign language is an important form of communication for Deaf people. It’s the primary way for them to communicate with each other and with hearing people.
It’s often presumed that sign language is universal and that a Deaf person from the UK will instantly understand a Deaf person from another country. But this is not the case.
As with spoken languages, most countries have a version of sign language, each with its own set of rules and signs. This is because sign languages develop independently in different communities and regions and are influenced by local culture, leading to variations in vocabulary, grammar, and expression.
Sign language is a natural language, and just as spoken languages develop and evolve over time, so do sign languages. This means that sign languages can vary greatly between countries and even within regions. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL) are distinct and not mutually intelligible.
There are over 300 different sign languages that vary from nation to nation. In addition to BSL, there are several sign languages used by English-speaking countries, including ASL, Auslan (in Australia) and NZSL (in new Zealand). One of the most widely used sign languages around the world is Chinese Sign Language (CSL or ZGS), which has up to 20 million users.
Here, we take a look at some of the most widely-used sign languages around the world and examine their differences.
Is there a difference in American Sign Language and British Sign Language?
Many people may think that because Brits and Americans speak the same language, that the sign language must be the same too. But again, this is not the case. American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) use different signs, although some words and phrases may be very similar. ASL uses one hand, whereas with BSL it’s two hands.
It should also be remembered that different signs can mean different things in each ASL and BSL. As a result, it’s important to be aware of these differences when communicating with Deaf people and to know which language they use. Ask rather than presume, to avoid confusion.
BSL vs SSE
British Sign Language is spoken by nearly 150,000 individuals in the UK. It has its own rules and way of communication. BSL is typically used by those who are profoundly Deaf, as well as their families, friends and professionals such as carers or communication support workers.
Sign-supported English (SSE) uses sign language alongside spoken English to help Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals understand and communicate. It involves signing individual words and short phrases that support the spoken language. SSE is used in a variety of settings such as classrooms, business meetings and social gatherings, as a means of facilitating communication between people with different levels of hearing.
How easy is it to learn a sign language?
Sign language consists of hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements to represent words or phrases. The basic signs are straightforward to learn. They’re often paired with natural body movements and facial expressions, making them intuitive and easy to remember.
However, gaining a deep knowledge and understanding of learning sign language can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the learner’s prior language experience, motivation and level of exposure to the language.
The ease of learning sign language may also depend on the type of sign language being learned, as well as the resources and support available for learning.
Overall, learning sign language requires time, effort, and practice, but with dedication, it can be a rewarding and enriching experience.
It opens up a whole new world of communication and understanding and isn’t always as difficult as people might think. With practice, patience, and dedication, you can learn basic signs quickly and easily. This will help break communication barriers and encourage your own skills and personal development.
How can Sign Solutions help?
We offer BSL interpreting, translation, and consultancy to help make your organisation accessible to Deaf customers and provide equal opportunities for Deaf job applicants. Our experienced, DBS-checked, NRCPD-registered interpreters can provide high-quality service across the UK. Additionally, we supply accredited professionals for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing users. For further details and advice, please phone 0121 447 9620, email bookings@signsolutions.uk.com, or contact us via a BSL video interpreter using InterpretersLive! via the website or App.