02/03/2022
How many of these sign language facts have you ever heard about?
- There are 300+ sign languages in which 72 million people are using world wide.
- American Sign Language (which we are using in kNOw SIGN) has its own vocabulary, grammar, word order and style and does not necessarily reflect English words. ASL originates from France, that’s the reason why French Sign Language is very similar to ASL.
- Sign language does not only rely on hand signs and gestures, but also a facial expression language. Sign Language users often use facial expression to change the meaning of signs. For example: Lowering eyebrows indicates who-what-where-when-why question.
- Children acquire sign language in the same way they acquire spoken language. Through interactions with people around them, deaf babies explore the hand shapes and movements that make up signs by babbling with their hands. In the early developmental stages, deaf children often substitute easier handshapes for more difficult ones.
- ASL is the third most popular language in the US behind English, Spanish and Chinese, ASL is the fourth most widely used language in the US with around 2 million users.
- Beethoven became a talented composer and pianist even though he was hearing impaired.
- Different countries have their own versions of sign language. Just like spoken languages, sign language changes depending on the country you’re in. Even though Britain and the USA both speak in English, their sign languages are very different! Differences can also be found in regional sign language – similar to how accents and dialects are reflected in speech.
- Many deaf people have ‘name signs’
Instead of signing out the individual letters of their name, many people who communicate through sign language use a single sign to represent it. This ‘name sign’ is unique to the individual and can be compared to a nickname.
Do you know how to say "thank you" in any sign language?
