Sign language

Gargalicana & Paguya

Sign language
• Also signed language or simply signing is a language
which uses manual communication and the body
language to convey meaning.
• This can involve simultaneously combining hand shapes,
orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body,
and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker’s
thought.
• They share many similarities with spoken languages
(sometimes called “oral languages”, which depend
primarily on sound), which is why linguist consider both
to be natural languages, but there are also some
significant differences between signed and spoken
languages.
Did you know that…? There are 137 sign languages

• Digiti Lingua- he earliest known printed

pictures of consonant of the modern two-
handed alphabet appeared in 1698.
– A pamphlet by an anonymous author who was
himself unable to speak.
• International Sign
– Formerly known as Gestuno, is used mainly at
international Deaf events such as Deaflympics
and meeting of the World Federation of the
Deaf
Sign language – fun facts
• It is the forth most used language in the
US.
• Deaf History Month is observe from March
13th to April 15th every year.
• Hundreds of sign language dialects in use
around he world
• Each culture has developed its own form
of sign language.
Introduction to Sign Language

• A sign language is a language which, uses

manual communication and body language to
convey meaning.
• This involves simultaneously combining hand
shapes, movement of the hands, arms or body,
and facial expressions to express a speaker's
thoughts
• Unlike gestures, sign language is like speech
and is used instead of speaking, whereas
gestures are mostly used while speaking
Introduction to Sign Language

•  A Sign language, any means of

communication through bodily
movements, especially of the hands and
arms, used when spoken communication
is impossible or not desirable.
• In linguistic terms, sign languages are
as rich and complex as any oral
language , but they are not "real
languages".
• It is a conventional communication which
is a part of non- verbal communication
Types of Sign Language

There are two types of sign language:

• 1.Alternate Sign Language-is a system of
hand signals developed by speakers for
limited communication in a specific context
where speech cannot be used
• 2.Primary Sign Language-is the first
language of a group of people who do not
use a spoken language with each other
Types of Sign Language

Sign language for the deaf

Sign language for people who are deaf
and blind
Sign language for children and adults with
special needs
Sign language for babies - a most
fabulous way to understand and
communicate with hearing baby, before he
or she can speak!
Types of Sign Language

Home sign is not a full language, but it is

used for a particular family, where a deaf
child does not have contact with other deaf
children and is not educated in sign.
A village sign language is a local language
is used both by the deaf and by a
significant portion of the hearing
community, who have deaf family and
friends.
Who uses Sign Language

The class of people that use sign language

include the following:
Deaf
Sign language newscasters
Some parents also teach their babies sign
language because it enhances their
communication skills
Why is Sign Language Important?

Sign language is important to people

that cannot communicate verbally
because of the following reasons:
• Have the right to exercise their civil as
well as linguistic-cultural rights,
• Have the right to pursue
studies/education in sign-language,
• have the right to contribute in decision
making,
Why is Sign Language Important?

• have the right to equal and, full access to

information as well as accessible
communication and orientation,
• have the right to assert/represent
themselves in sign-language and utilize the
right to vote,
• have the right to use sign-language in all
areas of life.
Different sign languages

• Sign languages are not universal. That

means there is not one single sign
language for all deaf people around the
world. There are many different sign
languages. Each deaf community can
develop its own sign language. Usually
there is a different sign language in each
country. Linguists have identified at least
137 different sign languages.
Here are some well-known sign languages:

American Sign Language (ASL)

Auslan (Australian Sign Language)
Austrian Sign Language
British Sign Language (BSL)
Indo-Pakistani Sign Language
Japanese Sign Language ( 日本手
話 , Nihon Shuwa) (JSL or NS)
Here are some well-known sign
languages:

Mexican Sign Language (Spanish: Lengua

de señas mexicana or LSM)
Nicaraguan sign language
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
Quebec Sign Language (French: Langue
des signes québécoise, or LSQ)
Turkish Sign Language (TSL)
Sign languages in deaf culture

• Deaf people have their own culture. It

is similar to the culture of hearing
people around them, but there are
important differences. Deaf people
have different experiences from
hearing people. This makes their
culture different.
• Sign language is the most important part
of deaf culture. Through a sign language
deaf people can create a social and
cultural identity for themselves. They can
communicate naturally with each other.
The shared sign language helps hold their
deaf community together. Hearing people
use spoken languages to do the same
things.
• Some children are born deaf. Others lose
their hearing because of illness when they
are very young. These children often learn
how to sign and become a part of the deaf
community and deaf culture.
• However, some people who are physically
deaf do not participate in deaf community
and deaf culture. Some people lose their
hearing later in life. These people usually
continue to interact with hearing people
using a spoken language. They do not
learn to sign. They do not make friends
with deaf people who sign. They depend
on hearing aids, lip-reading, or writing
notes to communicate with their hearing
friends.
• Some deaf children learn to speak and lip-
read a spoken language. This is a difficult
skill, but some children succeed. Also,
some may have surgery to get a cochlear
implant. A cochlear implant helps some
deaf children hear better. It is not the same
as normal hearing, but it can help them
learn to speak. These deaf people can
interact with hearing people using a
spoken language.
• The term "deaf culture" usually refers only
to the culture of deaf people who sign.
• Deaf culture is the set of social beliefs,
behaviors, art, literary traditions, history,
values, and shared institutions of
communities that are influenced
by deafness and which use sign
languages as the main means of
communication. 
Behavioral patterns
• Culturally Deaf people have rules of etiquette
for getting attention, walking through signed
conversations, leave-taking, and otherwise
politely negotiating a signing environment.
• Deaf people also keep each other informed of
what is going on in one's environment. It is
common to provide detailed information when
leaving early or arriving late; withholding such
information may be considered rude.
• Deaf people may be more direct or blunt than
their hearing counterparts.
Behavioral patterns
• When giving introductions, Deaf people
typically try to find common ground; since the
Deaf community is relatively small, Deaf people
usually have other Deaf people in common.
• Deaf people may also consider time
differently. Showing up early to large-scale
events, such as lectures, is typical. This may be
motivated by the need to get a seat that provides
the best visual clarity for the Deaf person.
Republic Act No. 11106
AN ACT DECLARING THE FILIPINO SIGN
LANGUAGE AS THE NATIONAL SIGN
LANGUAGE OF THE FILIPINO DEAF AND
THE OFFICIAL SIGN LANGUAGE OF
GOVERNMENT IN ALL TRANSACTIONS
INVOLVING THE DEAF, AND MANDATING
ITS USE IN SCHOOLS, BROADCAST MEDIA,
AND WORKPLACES
• Section 1. Title – This Act shall be known
as “The Filipino Sign Language Act”.
• Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall, in
compliance with the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, promote, protect, and
ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities.
Thus, national and local State agencies shall uphold
respect for their inherent dignity, individual autonomy,
and independence by guaranteeing accessibility and
eliminating all forms of discrimination in all public
interactions and transactions, thereby ensuring their full
and effective participation and inclusion in society. The
State shall also take all appropriate measures to ensure
that the Filipino deaf can exercise the right to expression
and opinion. Accordingly, the State recognizes and
promotes the use of sign languages embodying the
specific cultural and linguistic identity of the Filipino deaf.