
Sign language | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica
Nov 28, 2025 · Sign language, any means of communication through bodily movements, especially of the hands and arms, used when spoken communication is impossible or not desirable.
Sign language - Wikipedia
Sign language should not be confused with body language, a type of nonverbal communication. Linguists also distinguish natural sign languages from other systems that are precursors to them or …
What Are the Types of Sign Language? ASL, BSL, & More - wikiHow
Jul 11, 2025 · There is no single universal sign language, so many countries or regions have their own sign languages that are often completely separate from their spoken languages. Learn more about …
What Is American Sign Language (ASL)? | NIDCD
American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages, with grammar that differs from English.
Sign Language - National Geographic Society
Apr 9, 2024 · More than 300 different sign languages are actively used throughout the world. Sign language is a visual language expressed through physical movements instead of spoken words. The …
Sign language - New World Encyclopedia
Signs often represent complete ideas, not only words. However, in addition to accepted gestures, mime, and hand signs, sign language often includes finger spelling, which involves the use of hand …
SIGN LANGUAGE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of SIGN LANGUAGE is any of various formal languages employing a system of hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body, facial expressions, body postures, and …
What is Sign Language? - Dr. Matthew Lynch
Sign language represents a sophisticated, complete linguistic system that uses manual communication, facial expressions, and body movements to convey meaning.
American Sign Language (ASL) - WebMD
Oct 28, 2024 · What Is Sign Language? Sign language is a language you express by using your hands and face instead of spoken words. It’s most commonly used by people in the Deaf community.
What is sign language and what is not? - handspeak.com
A signed language is a language of its own, independent from spoken languages. For examples, Ameslan (American Sign Language) and Auslan (Australian Sign Language) are not signed versions …