Sign Language – Meaning, Structure, and Societal Relevance
Sign language is an independent, visually perceptible language based on hand gestures, facial expressions, body posture, and spatial representation. It is primarily used by Deaf and hard of hearing people, but can fundamentally be learned by anyone.
Unlike spoken language, it does not rely on spoken words or sounds, but on visible signs. It is not a simplified version of spoken language, but a naturally evolved language with its own vocabulary and independent structure. Linguistically, it is classified as a fully-fledged, natural language.
The language allows complex facts, emotions, abstract concepts, and nuanced content to be fully expressed – just as precisely as spoken words do in any spoken language.
German Sign Language (DGS)
In Germany, German Sign Language (DGS) is predominantly used. Since 2002, it has been recognized as an independent language in the Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (BGG). This legally established that it is equal to spoken languages.
DGS differs significantly from spoken German. It follows its own grammar and sentence structure. While spoken German often uses the Subject – Verb – Object order, verbs in DGS are frequently placed at the end of the sentence.
Example:
English/German: "I see you."
DGS Structure: "I you see."
Furthermore, DGS is not structured linearly, but spatially and simultaneously. This means that multiple levels of information can be conveyed at the same time. Directions, a specific time reference, or relationships between people are often represented through hand movements in space.
How does sign language work?
A sign consists of more than just a simple hand movement. Meaning is created through the interaction of several visual elements. Facial expressions play a central role. They take on grammatical tasks: questions or negations are frequently expressed through facial expressions and body posture. Another feature is iconicity (visual representation). To sign fluently, the following elements must be combined:
- Handshape (the specific shape of the hand)
- Direction of movement
- Position in space
- Facial expressions
- Head and body posture
- Mouth patterns / mouthing (silently mouthing the words)
Is there an international sign language?
No. There is no single, unified global sign language. Worldwide, there are several hundred different languages, each with its own grammar and vocabulary.
German Sign Language, for example, differs greatly from American Sign Language (ASL). Regional dialects also exist within individual countries.
At international gatherings, "International Sign" (IS) is often used. This is a simplified communication system based on common visual elements. However, it is not a standardized language.
Fingerspelling and Name Signs
Alongside actual signing, there are supporting systems.
The manual alphabet (fingerspelling) allows individual letters to be represented visually. It is primarily used to spell proper names or technical terms for which no specific sign currently exists. Fingerspelling does not replace the language, but supplements it as an important tool.
Furthermore, many Deaf people within the sign language community are given a personal name sign. This is usually given by others and often refers to a characteristic feature of the person. It generally remains permanent and replaces the constant, time-consuming fingerspelling of their proper name.
Sign Language and Deaf Culture
Sign language is not just a means of communication, but a central part of Deaf culture. Deaf people and the entire sign language community frequently view themselves as a linguistic minority with an independent identity.
In many countries, tens of thousands of Deaf people live and interact. Within this community, there are close networks, cultural events, and distinct social structures.
Important: The term "deaf-mute" is strictly avoided today. It is historically burdened and factually incorrect, as Deaf people are not mute. Correct and respectful terms are "Deaf" or "hard of hearing".
Communication between Hearing and Deaf People
In encounters between hearing and Deaf people, communication barriers frequently arise when there is no shared language. For successful communication, a few simple conditions are extremely helpful:
- Good lighting conditions for better visibility
- Direct, engaged eye contact
- Natural, clear mouth movements when speaking
- Patience and a respectful approach
In professional situations, qualified sign language interpreters are deployed. They translate between spoken and sign language. The provision of interpreting services enables accessible communication in education, medicine, public administration, and the workplace.
Everyday Participation
Importance for Inclusion and Social Participation
The visibility of the language is a central component of social inclusion. Without accessible communication, access to education, employment, politics, culture, and digital services is made difficult or completely denied to people with hearing impairments.
The recognition of national sign languages and the promotion of interpreting services contribute significantly to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). They secure the fundamental right to equal participation. In the digital space, sign language videos help, for instance. This is often seen as a small video window at the edge of the screen during a news broadcast.
Digital services and public institutions therefore have a responsibility to actively break down existing barriers. Providing sign language videos is not an optional extra, but a crucial instrument for guaranteeing fundamental rights.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sign Language
What is sign language and what does the term mean?
It is an independent, visually perceptible language based on hand gestures, facial expressions, body posture, and spatial representation. In Germany, for example, DGS has been officially recognized as a distinct language in the Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities since 2002.
Are 'sign language' and 'gesture language' the same thing?
No. The term 'gesture language' is often used synonymously in colloquial speech, but it is technically incorrect. The language of Deaf people is fully-fledged, with complex grammar and a large vocabulary, which the term 'gesture language' fails to represent.
What does "adding sign language" mean?
It means that, for example, during a news broadcast or an online event, an interpreter is displayed in a video window. This translates spoken words simultaneously and makes them accessibly available.
What role does it play in digital accessibility?
For Deaf people, text subtitles are often insufficient because spoken language functions like a foreign language to them. Sign language videos (recommended by WCAG guidelines at Level AAA) offer a much more direct way to access information.
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