The Use of Sign Language in the U.S, Mexico, and Spain
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Lee Kirven
Abstract
A common misconception of sign language is that it is a universal language, and that every country uses the same gestures for similar words or phrases. However, most countries have their own specialized version of sign language with different meanings of certain gestures. In the U.S this is called ASL or American Sign Language, while in Spain it is SSL, and in Mexico LSM. Even in the most common aspects such as the alphabet, these languages are completely different. Each variation of sign language also each have their own unique grammar rules, such as spoken English or Spanish. This presentation will mainly explore the differences between the English, Spanish, and Mexican sign languages and how culture and geography can cause a variation of each sign language. This presentation will also explore what Universal Sign Language is, the reasons it was created, and the reasons why it is not used worldwide.
Start Date
27-3-2024 3:00 PM
End Date
27-3-2024 3:08 PM
Location
Arts and Sciences 2-72
The Use of Sign Language in the U.S, Mexico, and Spain
Arts and Sciences 2-72
A common misconception of sign language is that it is a universal language, and that every country uses the same gestures for similar words or phrases. However, most countries have their own specialized version of sign language with different meanings of certain gestures. In the U.S this is called ASL or American Sign Language, while in Spain it is SSL, and in Mexico LSM. Even in the most common aspects such as the alphabet, these languages are completely different. Each variation of sign language also each have their own unique grammar rules, such as spoken English or Spanish. This presentation will mainly explore the differences between the English, Spanish, and Mexican sign languages and how culture and geography can cause a variation of each sign language. This presentation will also explore what Universal Sign Language is, the reasons it was created, and the reasons why it is not used worldwide.