Is sign language done the same for all languages or do the signs have different meanings for each language?

Question

Is there such a language whether it be verbal or sign language that is understood through out the world, besides body language?

Besides the letters of the alphabet being different are the simple signs for complete words such as father, sister, love,friend, water and so on also different?

Answer 1

To the comment from the american...sign language was not invented by your nation...your nation didn't exist when sign language came into being...typish american, everything was invente by americans!!!

I quote from Wikipedia;

"However, contrary to popular belief, sign language is not universal. Wherever communities of deaf people exist, sign languages develop, but as with spoken languages, these vary from region to region. They are not based on the spoken language in the country of origin; in fact their complex spatial grammars are markedly different. However, various signed "modes" of spoken languages have been developed, such as Signed English and Warlpiri Sign Language. Hundreds of sign languages are in use around the world and are at the core of local Deaf cultures. Some sign languages have obtained some form of legal recognition, while others have no status at all."

"The recorded history of sign language in Western society extends from the 16th century, as a visual language or method of communication. Sign language is a system of conventional gestures, mimic, hand signs and finger spelling, the use of hand positions to represent the letters of the alphabet. Signs usually represent complete ideas, not only words. Sign language is mainly used by deaf and mute people in order to communicate."

"Standardized sign languages have been used in Italy since the 17th century and in France since the 18th century for the instruction of the deaf. Old French Sign Language was developed and used in Paris by the l’Abbé Charles Michel de l’Epée in his school for the deaf. These languages were always modeled after the natural sign languages already in use by the deaf cultures in their area of origin, often with additions to show aspects of the grammar of the local spoken languages."

"In 1755, Abbé de l'Épée founded the first public school for deaf children in Paris. His lessons were based upon his observations of deaf people signing with hands in the streets of Paris. Synthesized with French grammar, it evolved into the French Sign Language. Laurent Clerc, a graduate and former teacher of the French School, went to the United States with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to found an American School for the deaf."

"The first permanent school for the deaf was established in Hartford, Connecticut; others followed. In 1817, Clerc and Gallaudet founded the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb (now the American School for the Deaf). In 1864, a college for deaf people was founded in Washington D.C. Its charter was signed by Abraham Lincoln and was named “Gallaudet College”."

Answer 2

English can be extremely confusing due to the sheer amount of different variations. There are people who speak it in all parts of the world, each having its own unique slang or version of the language. For instance, Englands version is very different from the USA's. All of there slang is different and many of the words are spelled differently in each country. USA: Color England: Colour However, I'm not quite sure what your implying with the word "immature", English is definitely not a new language; so factually that is incorrect. IF you mean it is an insult, then you should use a different word or direct the immature at the speakers of English (which includes you). If you mean unrefined (not polished or prudent) When you say weird rules, what is weird exactly? Every language has different rules and seems strange to people learning it as a 2nd language. For instance, it seems strange that in French I have to use "Vous" when addressing elders or respected people, while using "Tu" for younger people. OR why I have to give words a gender...? (really?) PS: English is one of the hardest languages to learn, Japanese and Arabic are also extremely difficult.

Answer 3

sign languages are all different - as different as spoken languages . they are unrelated to the spoken language in the area where they are spoken, and some of them (nicaraguan sign language) are very recent.

there is no universal language. it is almost impossible that there could ever be one, and if one did develop it would be very unlikely to last.

if you wish to understand these points you should read 'the language instinct' by stephen pinker. the book does an excellent job of explaining why languages happen, how they work, and why there are so many of them (and always will be).

Answer 4

Hi,
Sign language varies from country to country, there are even dialects within countries and slang! just like spoken languages!
There is, however, something which was developed later on which is comparable to ´esperanto´or a made up, universal language. This is not used by most people though. It´s usually used in academia, amongst researchers and people who like learning dead languages...

Answer 5

Sign languages are different for each language and there is no universal language.

Answer 6

Sign language is language specific.

Answer 7

Well it's different in every language and i think their working on a universal one right now. Its not that hard to pick up. My parents learned it so they could communicate with my brother. I've known it since i was little because i watched my parents talk to my brother in sign languange.

Answer 8

No, there are some differences, It is thought that the Celtic "Ogham" was originally a finger language that some guy worked out how to put down on sticks or rocks

Answer 9

American Sign Language is unique.

Answer 10

most countries have their own unique form of sign language