Why do hearing people always ask the one question... "Why is sign language not universal?

Question

Think about it, why is spoken language not universal? The other day, someone insisted that it would be better to have the one sign language the same all over the world (He meant a universal sign language) When I asked him about spoken language not being universal, he said it was different. It isn't. I was asked this question by many people. They are surprised that there are different sign languages? WHY??? Spoken languages are different. It seems to me that these people regard sign languages as somewhat inferior/not on the same level as spoken languages

I ask you all on Answers your views on this issue. Thanks,

Answer 1

Smile, I am Deaf and get this question often, too. Don't let it bother you so much. Wouldn't you rather people ask than just be in the dark? If the person is indeed curious than it can't be a silly question, now can it?

Sign language (just as any valid language) is based on CULTURE. Therefore having one language for everyone is impossible.

At least for now, until we move into Star Trek times. :-)

Answer 2

I've often asked this question: Why sign language is not universal, so even hearing people would learn and could communicate all over the world without having to learn any second spoken language. Yet more, I've heard it's pretty easy.

Answer 3

I do understand you. Last time too like some comments mentioned below, I too, like some people just thought it would be handy. But it is not, it would be handy if all people know it already, but how do we even teach the people in the first place? Even spoken languages are rather hard to learn... right? So, I guess you people are just given ways to survive... if you cannot understand something, ask somebody who can understand you and if not just believe in your instings. Well... just tell them calmly that like spoken languages, people in this whole world can not possibly learn one same language and by when can everybody understand it, and when does one want to give up their own birth or understood languages? I have never met anyone who does, deaf or not. It's the truth, eventhough I know people who dont like some of their own languages but nevertheless they can not avoid using them.... ;-) By the way, people do ask annoying questions sometimes of all topics either they realize it or not.

Answer 4

that's not usual. fairly much each and every u . s . a . has their own sign language. whether there are in specific situations comparable signs and indicators, for the main section sign languages are as distinctive in different countries as spoken languages are. i'm an American sign Language interpreter, and that i grow to be in Kazakhstan 2 years in the past the place they use Russian sign language (using fact it was once a piece of the Soviet Union). I met deaf human beings and went to a deaf club, and there have been purely approximately 4 signs and indicators that I recognized. additionally, the alphabet is thoroughly distinctive using fact they use the cyrillic alphabet, so the handshapes are thoroughly distinctive. i would not even say that "super portion of sign language is common". There are some areas of all sign languages that are organic looking gestures, expresssion, and pantomime, however the signs and indicators for words and methods are distinctive place by employing place. The sign for "eat" in American sign language is amazingly obtrusive, so absolutely everyone could comprehend it, as nicely using fact the sign for "drink". yet maximum signs and indicators are extra precis, and mirror no longer purely the spoken language of that u . s . a ., yet additionally cultural adjustments as nicely. In Kosovo, the sign for engaged is "ring, earring", using fact whilst they get engaged they're given categories of jewelry besides purely a hoop like interior the US. In ASL that's the letter "E" (as in engaged) placed on suitable of the left ring finger interior the area the place a diamond could be. This no longer purely reflects the lanugage (in kosovo an e would not be a similar letter that starts off their be conscious for engaged) yet additionally the traditions of that way of life.

Answer 5

That's interesting, I have never heard of such a question or concept. Actually they DID try to invent a universal spoken language very seriously (Esperanto). It sure would be useful, if it had worked. I didn't know that hearing people asked that question, but it could be that it's simply a bit of ignorance or lack of ability to think logically. It actually sounds like a fairly harmless bit of silliness, so I am sorry that it's stressing you out so much. Maybe you could make it into a joke when they say such a thing to you, and they'll feel silly.

Answer 6

it would be impossible to have universal sign language . it is pretty much the same as the spoken language in the sense that there are so many spoken language and you must learn the sign language of spoken language of the country you are in otherwise nobody will understand you or vice versa .

Answer 7

I know what you mean, but at least the people who ask this don't fall into an even more annoying trap: assuming that sign language is just a signed translation of a particular spoken language.

Answer 8

Maybe because hearing people don't use sign laguage and therefore don't know a lot of it? When they think about it then, it would seem logical in the beginning to have one universal signlanguage. It would also be handy to have one universal spoken language. I am sure they don't mean it as an insult.

Answer 9

Joking a little (but not so much):
'Come to Italy, baby, I bet you understand me!'
In Italy there are so many dialects deriving from so many invasions that we'd forced to 'speak' in another way, that is the reason 'cause Italians gesticulate, also now that there's no need to. Ciao.

Answer 10

I've never heard this question, in fact, "sign language" is almost always prefixed by a country name.