Deaf Community: The Use Of Sign Language

Sign Language is a very complex method of language that is used by the deaf community to replace spoken words. It is an extraordinary language when considering all that encompasses this replacement of words, such as gestures, vision, body language, tone, rhythm syntax, facial expressions, industrialization, and culture (Sign Language). The hand, body and facial gestures can represent objects, emotions, actions, numbers, letters, and can even ask questions. This visual mode of communication is used all over the world today, but the gestures vary according to location (American Sign Language). Just like the spoken word,variations in language, such as dialects, accents, and cultural differences can constitute an entirely different language.
Alexander Ghrahm Bell, the inventor of the telephone, organized the Alexander Ghrahm Bell Association for the Deaf and devastated the deaf community by instating that oralism, or oral speech was to be the primary method used when educating the deaf and mute population (History). Sign Language developed as a need for the deaf population to communicate, not the hearing. Any development of a universal language must respect the advancements and culture of the deaf community while maintaining their devotion to their nationality. The use of sign language helps the hearing impaired people to communicate at a much more in depth level, a level that goes beyond meeting basic needs. A language that presents the deaf community with a language that can express their emotions, complex thoughts and ideas, stories, education, tell jokes, as well as simply sharing information (Sign Language) . Having many different types of sign language is the same as having different types of spoken languages, each particular to their country of origin. These are important similarities as it falls within the individual's rights to have their sign language, which is considered the person's first language, match that of their country (Sign Language). As an article on worldwide sign language states, "Even though speakers of English can understand Americans, British, and Australian people
The ability to unite separate societies and enable them to communicate fluently is not as important as maintaining the identity of those utilizing the language. According to the Sign Language article on The World Federation of the Deaf website, this is why laws have been set into place to protect cultures. If a universal language were to be taught as a second language, and learned voluntarily, then one could view it similar to the Latin language for scientists. They all learn Latin as a foreign language, and the Latin language remains the same in all countries, uniting scientists around the world with one commonality, Latin. However, their identity with their national language and their ability to speak their mother tongue remains intact, though Latin is utilized in their daily life, it does not create confusion or disrespect their culture presently. It merely links every nation together for scientific research, opens communication, and allows growth. The same could be said for a universal sign language, it could provide growth and an increase for communication among a culture with a shared commonality. Having a universal sign language is a realistic solution to barriers in communication as long as it respects all cultures and encourages the individuality of their unique national origin