answersLogoWhite

0

Sign language is not universal. There are hundreds of different sign languages. Many different countries have their own sign languages, with linguistic conventions and gesture-meaning vocabularies that vary from other nations' sign languages.

Some examples of sign languages are:

  • American Sign Language (ASL - 500,000 to 2,000,000 signers in the United States in addition to others abroad)
  • British Sign Language (BSL - over 50,000 first-language signers)
  • French Sign Language (LSF - 80,000 to 300,000 signers)
  • International Sign Language (also known as International Sign Pidgin, Gestuno, or ISL)

Some nations even have multiple sign languages. For example, in Japan, there are three main sign languages: Japanese Sign Language, JSL, which is generally used by native speakers and involves mouthing syllables in addition to finger spelling; Pidgin Signed Japanese, which is used between generally non-native speakers with native speakers, and Manually Signed Japanese, which translates the written form of Japanese into gestures.

As one can observe from the statistics above, the number of people who sign using even a nation's own sign language is hard to determine accurately. Statistics for many areas of the world are unavailable.

Thus it is hard to definitively say for the world, or even a nation, how many people use a sign language. However, one can infer from the statistics for the individual nations above a general sense of how many sign language users there are in the world. However, these numbers should not be seen as accurate and representative of the proportion of sign language users to total population world-wide, only as a rough estimate.

According to Wycliffe Translation Organization- they stated that there are over 400 forms of sign language across the globe. And many of them are not very well known. They can be similar to ASL or oral sign language.

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Linguistics

Which language is used by the people who cannot speak and hear?

Sign languages are typically used by deaf people. There are about 100 major sign languages in the world.The most widely spoken sign language in the world is American Sign Language, spoken by about 500,000 people.


In how many different languages can you sign in?

The number of languages in which you can sign in varies depending on your proficiency and practice. Some people can sign in multiple languages, while others may only know one.


Do other languages have their own unique sign languages?

Yes, many languages around the world have their own unique sign languages that are distinct from each other. These sign languages are used by deaf communities to communicate and are not universal across all languages.


Where are sign languages spoken?

Different sign languages are spoken in almost all countries on earth. They even have official status in some countries, such as New Zealand and Malta.Contrary to what many people believe, there is no universal sign language. Each region has its own, which developed naturally among deaf people.The most widely spoken sign languages in the world are:American Sign LanguageBritish Sign LanguageFrench Sign Language


How many sign languages are there?

There are over 300 different sign languages used around the world, each with its own unique grammar and vocabulary. Some well-known sign languages include American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and Auslan (Australian Sign Language).

Related Questions

Which language is used by the people who cannot speak and hear?

Sign languages are typically used by deaf people. There are about 100 major sign languages in the world.The most widely spoken sign language in the world is American Sign Language, spoken by about 500,000 people.


In how many different languages can you sign in?

The number of languages in which you can sign in varies depending on your proficiency and practice. Some people can sign in multiple languages, while others may only know one.


How many languages did Helen Keller speak?

Helen Keller was proficient in multiple languages, including American Sign Language, English, French, German, and Italian. She primarily communicated through sign language and tactile sign language with her hands.


Who are the first people to use sign language?

No one knows. Sign languages are as old as vocal languages.


Who made up sign language?

A single person did not make up sign language. It is not an alternative to language, but rather there are many sign languages each of which is constantly changing based on the needs of the people who speak it. American Sign Language is most closely related to French Sign Language, and the two share common roots.


How many people speak New Zealand Sign Language?

According to the 2013 census, 20,200 people speak NZSL, which is related to British Sign Language, though not mutually intelligible.


What languages did Andrew Jackson speak?

Sign Language,Swahili,Portuguese, and the Language of Love.


How many languages did Juliette Gordon Low speak?

Juliette Gordon Low spoke two languages, English and French. Although she was deaf, Juliette was not known to have ever used sign language.


How do people learn how to talk?

sign languages


What languages did Amelia Earhart speak?

She spoke english and sign language. What was her sign name?


Do other languages have their own unique sign languages?

Yes, many languages around the world have their own unique sign languages that are distinct from each other. These sign languages are used by deaf communities to communicate and are not universal across all languages.


How many languages were spoken in new zealand?

New Zealand has three official languages: English, Maori and NZ sign . New Zealand has a lot of different cultures in it, though, so there are folks who speak Asian, European and Pacific island languages.