5 Things You Didn't Know About Sign Language!

By Samyati Mohanty

Learning sign language requires practise, just like learning any other language. There are some things you might not have known before enrolling in a course, regardless of whether you are learning to communicate with a relative or need to utilise sign language at work.

Here are 5 intriguing sign language-related facts you should be aware of!

1. It isn't a universal language, for one.

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Different types of signs exist for each language, and just like spoken language, these have evolved over time. Even though British and American Sign Language only share roughly one-third of the same signals, some words can be signed extremely differently in both.

2. Its own grammar is used.

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The tone of a remark or an inquiry might change if the speaker speaks louder. Similar to this, grammar can also alter when signing.

For instance, eyebrow positioning is crucial when asking questions; if you are asking a who, what, when, where, or why question, your eyebrows should dip down. Alternately, eyebrows should be lifted while asking a yes-or-no question. If you get this wrong, it will be like listening to someone speak a foreign language.

3. Just like spoken English, babies pick up sign language.

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Approximately 90% of deaf infants are born to hearing parents, did you know that? It can be a life-changing experience to have a hearing-impaired kid, and parents will need to start signing to the infant at a young age. If they do, the youngster will learn the language just as they would spoken English; they would begin by babbling with their hands, move on to stringing signs together, and then eventually master all of the grammar rules.

4. Not everyone who is deaf can sign.

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Contrary to popular belief, not all deaf persons communicate through sign language. Approximately 151,000 people use Sign Language as their first language, according to a study. This requires comparison.

5. Lipreading? It's mostly speculation.

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We've all watched detective shows where the hero solves crimes by lip reading from surveillance footage. This is frequently untrue, and it's estimated that 80% of lipreading involves guesswork. In the deaf community, there is a well-known practical joke about how saying "elephant's shoes" out loud while mouthing the words looks remarkably like saying "I love you." This prank frequently results in unpleasant circumstances.

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So, read this out and let us know if you found the information here helpful.