What You Should Know
- There is not one universal form of Sign Language.
- Approximately 300 different types of sign languages are used around the world.
- The primary signed language used in South Africa is South African Sign Language.
Sign Language is the communication method of choice for those with hearing loss and, in South Africa alone, it's estimated that over 4 million people are deaf and hard of hearing.
However, if you were to ask a random person on the street to tell you what they knew about Sign Language, they'd most likely stare at you blankly. If they did happen to know that there were different types of Sign Language, they might not be able to tell you which country uses which.
Sign Language is a form of communication and a type of language just like any other, and there are several different forms of Sign Language around the world.
Do you know that there are around 300 different types of sign languages used around the world? Do you know what SASL, BSL, and ASL are? In this article, we'll take you through these Sign Language types along with a few others.
Sign Language is very interesting, as it requires no vocal sound to be produced and uses only hand and body gestures for communication.
Before you submerge yourself in the world of Sign Language, consider reading our article on how to learn Sign Language to get an overview and better understanding of what will be discussed here.
South African Sign Language
The primary signed language of South Africa is South African Sign Language (SASL).
The exact number of native SASL speakers is currently unknown, but according to past data, about 600 000 people currently speak South African Sign Language. There are around 40 schools in South Africa who offer instruction in SASL.
An interesting fact about South African Sign Language is that it uses non-verbal equivalents to phonemes.
Phonemes are sounds put together to form meaningful parts when communicating in a certain language. Although South African Sign Language is a soundless language, the meaningful parts are made up of different signs and actions with the body. The five parts of meaningful SASL are:
- Hand shape
- Orientation
- Location
- Movement
- Non-manual features.
These 5 parts are the building blocks of this interesting language. If you change any of these parts it can completely change the sign. This is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to learning SASL. If you would like to know more, there are plenty of resources online you can investigate.
The Syntax of SASL
There is no fixed order to sign words in South African Sign Language, however, as with many other sign languages, the topic being discussed is usually signed first, and then the comments on the topic are signed.
SASL syntax is generally as follows:
- Time signs, such as tomorrow or after, are signed first.
- The topic and the comment follow the time.
- Verbs are usually signed last, unless auxiliary verbs are used. Then the auxiliary verb is signed after the verb.
- Nouns and verbs are placed before their associated adjectives or adverbs.
- Articles are not signed.
- Signs do not change to reflect the tense. The time sign at the beginning denotes the tense.
South African Sign Language is not completely homogenised and, depending on where you are in the country, different signs may be used to represent the same concept. SASL is a living, evolving language and continues to adapt to the needs of its users.
BSL vs ASL
British Sign Language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL) are both visual languages used by the Deaf community, ASL in the United States and BSL in Britain.
ASL and BSL are quite similar in many ways. For example, they both use classifiers and topic-comment syntax. However, there are also many differences between these two languages.
Perhaps the most significant difference is that ASL uses a one-handed manual alphabet, whereas BSL uses a two-handed manual alphabet.
Another major difference between ASL and BSL is that ASL uses a lot of fingerspelling, whereas BSL uses it only for proper nouns such as names and places when first introduced.
They are both completely different to each other, so much so that someone who speaks BSL may not understand someone who speaks ASL.
Australian Sign Language
What about other English-speaking countries such as Australia and New Zealand?
You will be suprised to know that distance doesn't necessarily mean difference in this regard. Australian Sign Language also known as Auslan is very similar to British Sign Language. In fact, the dialects of these two languages are so much alike that many consider them to be the same language. The are so similar that there is an acronym for the sign languages of Britain, Australia and New Zealand called BANZSL.
French Sign Language
Just like the sign languages already discussed French Sign Language is a language on its own and uses its own alphabet and grammar.
It is known as a three-dimensional language because its grammar has three dimensions - you can communicate more than one idea at a time. The main difference between FSL and other gesture languages is that its alphabet is used to spell proper names and words.
In France there are about 100 000 to 200 000 adults and children speaking the French Sign Language.
Interesting fact: Sign language is not inspired by the spoken languages of the country, it is developed from the interaction with others. It even has its own grammar.
What About Other Sign Languages?
The world of signing is truly diverse. Another interesting type of signing is called local sign language. This type of sign language is shared between deaf and hearing people in a community where there is a high number of deaf people.
Other types of sign languages that you can find around the world are:
- Japanese
- Irish
- Chinese
- Indian
- Swedish
- Belgian
- Arab
- Persian
- And mixes of one, two or even three types.
Besides the list of official sign languages globally, there are other forms of the language too. These forms has manifested over time and developed into helpful programmes for various communities of Deaf or hearing impaired worldwide. Let's have a look at one of them.
What is Makaton?
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses signs, symbols and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language.
The programme has two vocabularies; a core vocabulary and topic-based resource vocabulary. Makaton symbols and signs are matched to all the concepts in the two vocabularies to be used with speech, the written word or on their own. They provide a visual representation of language, allowing people with intellectual disabilities to communicate more easily.
This multi-modal approach, which brings together different modes of communication and information, has been shown to be the best way to ensure that people with disabilities can express themselves and participate in society.
Makaton allows for communication that is personalised to the individual, and can be used at their level of understanding. Over 100 000 people use Makaton symbols and signs today.
Sign Language Lessons Near Me
If you would like to learn Sign Language or to advance your skillset then getting one-on-one Sign Language tutoring is a great option. Whether you want in-person lessons or to learn online, Superprof has many Sign Language professionals that can help you.
With tutoring you get the teacher's undivided attention which means you will be able to catch on quicker. On Superprof, your first tutoring lesson is usually free. Check the tutor's advert to see if they offer a free lesson.
Another option worth considering is using an app, there are different apps to help you learn the specific sign language that you choose.
There are many more types of sign language across the world which haven't been mentioned in this article.
Like every spoken language is unique to its own country, so is a particular Sign Language to its country of origin.
We hope you've learnt something new about this diverse and fascinating way of communication.
Tips for Learning South African Sign Language
To learn SASL effectively, you’ll need to follow a structured approach which combines study, practice, and immersion. Here are our tips:
- Start with the basics. Learn essential everyday signs such as greetings, popular phrases, and the signs for common objects. This will build the foundation for your future learning.
- Learn the SASL alphabet so that you can use finger spelling to communicate names or words that you don’t yet know the signs for.
- Consider enrolling for Sign Language lessons, either at an institution or with a private tutor. Formal classes will help you learn important concepts like grammar structure and etiquette.
- Study the grammar and structure of South African Sign Language. It’s important to understand correct sentence structure, body language and facial expressions, as these are all combined in Sign Language to convey meaning.
- Practise as often as possible. Outside of formal lessons, practise signing with fellow Sign Language students or members of the Deaf community. Consider attending Deaf events to immerse yourself in real-life Sign Language conversations.
- Use the Internet to your benefit. There are many online resources that you can use to supplement and reinforce your learning.
By following a structured approach you will boost your Sign Language skills.
Why not discover more about the history of Sign Language to continue your journey?
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