2007-03-02 10:40:16 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
DEFINITELY NOT. Sign Language, is just like any spoken language, it varies by regions, culture, history, and geographical barriers.
American Sign Language (ASL) is only used in Canada, and the U.S. NOT the same as in the UK, which uses British Sign Language (with double- handed finger spelling) as ASL fingerspells same as speech spelling, letter by letter, with only one hand.
Mexico, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and many many more countries have their own Sign Language.
2007-03-02 10:54:48 · answer #1 · answered by grldragon101 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Because most sign language systems are based on the spoken language in their respective countries, they are all vastly different. Even the English-speaking countries all have their own sign languages. In British sign, the alphabet is formed with two hands while in the US, only one is used.
Many gestures are the same anywhere you go, but not even all of those really are what you'd call universal. When it comes to real sign language, however, they vary greatly from country to country, just as does the spoken language.
In the US alone there are several sign systems, including ASL, SEE, CASE, and quite a few others. Though some signs carry over from one system to another, they can't all be easily understood unless you learn each one.
2007-03-02 11:58:10 · answer #2 · answered by thejanith 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, it is not universal, there are hundreds of sign languages. It is like any other language which includes other dialects/slangs. American Sign Language is what is use in the USA. International sign is what is used when there are many nationalities present. Sign is easier to translate from region to region than spoken language is.
2007-03-02 10:55:43 · answer #3 · answered by Lindsey M 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope. even nevertheless there are similarities from sign language to sign languages, they are distinctive language. Even American and British sign language are distinctive, people who talk one won't be able to talk or comprehend the different. (Is it called conversing sign language, that sounds incorrect.) desire this enables.
2016-09-30 03:09:28 · answer #4 · answered by carol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, it is NOT universal. Americans "speak" ASL, American Sign Language.
2007-03-02 10:48:16 · answer #5 · answered by full_tilt_boogie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, no, it's not. There's American Sign Language, which is standard in most English speaking countries; but every other nation has their own form of gesture speak for the handicapped.
2007-03-02 10:48:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
yes, it is universal. if it weren't you would have to sign in too many different languages and learning it once is hard enough.
2007-03-02 10:49:24 · answer #7 · answered by albinosnake 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋
yes, its universal
2007-03-02 10:47:32 · answer #8 · answered by cav 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋