On December 3rd, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day aims to raise awareness of disability issues, focusing on various aspects each year. Its goal is to promote the integration of people with disabilities and emphasize equal opportunities, rehabilitation, and disability prevention. Additionally, there's a growing awareness that not all disabilities are visible, and with this in mind, I'd like to pose a question:

"Is deafness considered a disability?"

The deaf community sees deafness not as a disability but as a distinctive cultural and linguistic identity, advocating for inclusivity, equal rights, and recognition of their unique heritage, and values sign language as a form of communication.

Sign language is not merely a tool for communication but a cornerstone of cultural identity and community bonds within the deaf community. Let's uncover seven intriguing facts that shed light on the depth and diversity of sign languages around the world.

Fact #1: Sign Language is not a Universal Language

Contrary to popular belief, sign language is not universal. Just as there are numerous spoken languages worldwide, there are also many different sign languages. Different countries and regions often have their own sign languages that are distinct from one another. For example, American Sign Language (ASL) is different from British Sign Language (BSL), and both differ from Australian Sign Language (Auslan) or Portuguese Sign Language (LGP).

While there might be some similarities or shared signs among sign languages due to historical connections or influences, they are not universally understood across different sign language communities.

Fact #2: Sign Language has its Own Grammar

Sign languages have their own grammatical structures, similar in complexity to spoken languages. Here are a few key aspects of sign language grammar:

Word Order: Like spoken languages, sign languages have specific word orders that convey meaning. For example, the traditional American English uses Subject-Verb-Object (SOV) word order, while the ASL depends on topic-comment relations. ASL has several word orders; there can be: Subject-Verb-Object or Subject-Verb order and also Time-Subject-Verb-Object or Time-Subject-Verb word order. (e.g. "I have an orange cat." - CAT ORANGE I HAVE or "I'm going to school at 8AM" - 8 HOUR MORNING SCHOOL GO)

Inflections: Sign languages use inflections, changing the movement or position of signs to indicate tense, aspect, or other grammatical features. For instance, a sign might change in movement or location to show past or future tense.

Classifiers: These handshapes represent categories of objects or how they're handled, providing specific details and nuances in descriptions. Classifiers are akin to using different verb forms or adjectives in spoken languages.

Fact #3:  Signs Originated from the Deaf Community

When new terms or concepts arise, the deaf community might discuss and decide on a sign. This process can involve brainstorming, experimentation with different gestures or signs, and ultimately reaching a consensus within the community about the most effective way to represent the new concept visually and linguistically. The evolution of signs in sign languages is a fascinating process influenced by various factors:

Community Innovation: Signs often emerge within deaf communities themselves. When new concepts or technologies, such as social media, emerge, the community collectively develops signs to represent these ideas.

Iconicity and Metaphor: New signs might be created through iconicity, where the sign resembles or imitates elements of the concept. For example, the sign for "computer" in some sign languages involves fingers mimicking typing on a keyboard.

Adaptation and Borrowing: Sometimes signs are adapted or borrowed from existing signs to represent new ideas. For instance, combining signs for "social" and "media" might create a compound sign for "social media."

Deaf Culture and Influence: Deaf culture, experiences, and perspectives influence the creation and adoption of signs. The community's shared experiences shape how new concepts are expressed in sign language.

Fact #4: Sign Language is not a Mere Mimicry

While using your hands together to mimic something might convey their concept visually, it's not a standard or recognized sign for sign languages. Signs are generally established within the deaf community and have specific movements or gestures that convey meaning, often not directly imitating objects or concepts in the same way gestures might in spoken languages.

Fact #5: Manual Alphabet for Spelling and Names

The manual alphabet is a fundamental tool used within the deaf community and it is used for various purposes:

Spelling Names: When there isn't a specific sign for a person's name or a word, the manual alphabet is used to fingerspell the word letter by letter.

Clarifications or Unfamiliar Terms: If a concept or word doesn't have a designated sign, fingerspelling allows individuals to convey unfamiliar terms or clarify meanings.

Educational Settings: The manual alphabet is often taught and used in educational settings to assist in language learning, spelling, or practicing new words.

Fact #6: Facial Expressions in Sign Language

Facial expressions play a crucial role in sign language as they provide context, grammatical information, emotional nuances much like intonation and tone in spoken languages. They can be used as:

Grammatical Markers: Facial expressions serve as grammatical markers, indicating questions, statements, negations, or other linguistic features. For example, a furrowed brow might indicate a question, while a relaxed face could signify a statement.

Emotional Context: Facial expressions add emotional depth and context to signs. They convey emotions such as happiness, sadness, surprise, or frustration, enhancing the overall meaning of the communication.

Nuances and Emphasis: Subtle changes in facial expressions can modify or emphasize the meaning of signs. They can alter the intensity, intention, or focus of a message, adding layers of nuance to the communication.

Fact #7: The Deaf Community Olympics

Deaf athletes participate in a separate sporting event called the Deaflympics, which is specifically designed for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Deaflympics is an international multi-sport event governed by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD).

The reason deaf athletes have their own event rather than participating in the Paralympics is due to the differing nature of disabilities and the focus of each event:

Deafness as a Cultural Identity: Deafness is often viewed within the deaf community not solely as a disability but also as a cultural and linguistic identity. The Deaflympics is an opportunity for deaf athletes to compete on a level playing field and celebrate their achievements within their own community.

Suggested reading : doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2008.11.007, https://doi.org/10.1086/204290, https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2011.614772 

[DOC]: Liddell, S. K. (2003). Grammar, gesture, and meaning in American Sign Language. Cambridge University Press.