Differences and Similarities

To understand the differences and similarities of the sign and spoken languages, let’s define the
language in three possible ways:

 Structural properties
 Design features
 Uses or functions

In terms of design features, sign and spoken languages differ slightly from one another. Spoken
language uses vocal-auditory channel while signed language does not use any such medium.
However, both have been claimed to differ more profoundly in the level to which spoken language is
made of arbitrary signs, while the other one is built on more iconic signs. A more cautious analytical
attempt shows that both types of languages are comparable in this aspect in their existing form.
However, there is little evidence that shows that the languages of both mediums have turned more
arbitrary over time.

How Do Children Acquire a Sign Language

and a Spoken Language?
Children learn sign or spoken language that already exists in their early environment, however, at
different rates. In the beginning, children learn sign language earlier than spoken language but this
quality diminishes over time. Deaf children have to learn sign language in a way one learns creoles,
since most children learning sign language don’t have their signing parents. When learning creoles,
one has to depend on the pidgin inputs. Similarly, deaf children create their own signing system while
acquiring a language. The comparison between both provides some support for the belief that the
language acquisition is not greatly dependent on the characteristics of the linguistic inputs.

Both the sign language and the spoken language have their own similarities and differences. While
they differ in their design features and modes of expression, the underlying process of interpretation is
very similar.