Do people who communicate in sign language have the same signs irrespective of  their languages?
81651
no, there are several different language signs. different countries have different signs. hear in america most use ASL which is actually closer to french signs than english, but there are still many, many differences between each of them. sign language developed differently in each area, just like the languages we speak.
207556
Not only is sign language not universal it differs from region to region in the US, sort of like dialects among speaking people. I've seen a deaf person from the south argue with a deaf person from the north about what a certain sign should be.\n\nBut for the most part, someone fluent in American Sign Language can communicate with other signers anywhere in the US.  Leave the US and there are some signs that are the same but most are not.\n\nLearning basic signs for very basic communication is not hard. But ASL itself takes years of study since it is a separate language with its own syntax and usage rules that are much different than spoken english.
440150
Yes there a ton of different forms of sing language.  In fact just in the US there are multiple kinds (one which is more of a signed English another ASL is a completely different language and way of thinking then English.  It was developed by a French teacher of deaf students and based on his French Sing Language).  Verbal languages are not equivilant in the sense that they are not literal translations from one to another but they show different ways of thinking and different perspectives of the world.  The same is true of sign language.   Also unlike one might believe signed languages are usually not a direction equivalant of the verbal language of the area they are used in but are another language completely.
423191
Yes.  Here's why:  when in a social situation it is every participant's responsibility to ensure that all of the participants can enjoy the highest amount of value from the experience.  Speaking a language that you know some of the others don't understand (unless you're explaining stuff about it to them) ensures that those people experience significantly diminished value.
920589
A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication instead of sound to convey meaning - simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speaker's thoughts. Sign languages commonly develop in deaf communities, which can include interpreters and friends and families of deaf people as well as people who are deaf or hard of hearing themselves. They are also used by people with speech impairments such as Aphasia.\n\nWhen people using different signed languages meet, communication is significantly easier than when people of different spoken languages meet. Sign language, in this respect, gives access to an international deaf community.\n\nHowever, contrary to popular belief, sign language is not universal. Wherever communities of deaf people exist, sign languages develop, but as with spoken languages, these vary from region to region. They are not based on the spoken language in the country of origin; in fact their complex spatial grammars are markedly different. However, various signed "modes" of spoken languages have been developed, such as Signed English and Warlpiri Sign Language. Hundreds of sign languages are in use around the world and are at the core of local Deaf cultures. Some sign languages have obtained some form of legal recognition, while others have no status at all.
99199
I guess because they like to be able to insult someone in a language that the insultee doesn't know.  \n\nPersonally, I just want to learn basic words.  And my name.  :]  Which is why the first thing I learned in sign language was the alphabet.  Call it narcissm.  ^^
31508
I believe so, just they dream with their hands. Let me explain... I have a deaf friend, and when non-deaf people think, they think with words, when a deaf person thinks, they think with sign language, not spoken words. It's probably the same with blind people, they probably dream with words (since they can talk) and with feel/touch (since they feel there way around).
900872
Learning to sign or studying American Sign Language (ASL) can be very interesting ot aanyone whether they are hearing or deaf.  \n\nSign can allow people who do not have the facility for spoken language to communicate fluently and quickly where writing or other non-verbal communication can be inconvenient.  The speach disability could be from birth, due to accident or stroke or illness, temporary or permanent.\n\nWithin the deaf community, ASL, like any other spoken language, has an impact on the culture of those who are fluent users, and ASL is evolving and changing as the "deaf culture" develops and changes with new words and ideas.  \n\nWith computers and words processig speach aids now available, keyboards are helping more people communicate without relying on knowledge of sign -- yet we all still use gestures and informal signing when trying to communicate accros language barriers.\n\nChildren in special education can sometimes use signing as a temporary form of communication until theyare able to develop speach or the ability to use a keyboard - or may rely on signing completely if they are severly disabled.\n\nSpecial education teachers and classroom aids study ASL to better teach and understand their students.
798556
I learned sign language from a deaf teacher. it was thew best way becuase there was only one way to communicate. its the same way i learned spanish as a kid. just have someone only speak english to you
425984
Sign language is always 2 handed. It takes a long time to learn but you can get the basics down very quickly by going to the store(good book store) and buying a book called the JOY of signing. It illustrates and shows the correct usage too. Work on everyday words for now. Sign language is very literal you don't need to sign all the little words for her to get the gist of the conversation. Don't expect to be fluent in less than a year. Make sure she knows you are just learning and you are doing it for her.
12917
There are MANY types of sign language. In the United States even, there are several English ones in use, plus basically one for every country and language in the world. Some more information is at the site below.
277160
Yes, I've met a few. I always thought it was really amazing how they learnt to communicate with others. They use a form of sign language, like finger-spelling, but can you imagine how hard it must be to teach them the words and their meanings in the first place? Totally amazing people.
1011056
American sign language. I never got around to it. I have books though!
709904
When said, "understand what am saying", it DOES NOT MEAN, that the person is trying to confirm that you understood what he is saying, it is more like saying, "don't you agree with that/me", and you respond,, yea,, or hell yeaa, to see if you are in the same boat.\n\nREMEMBER, they way you speak your language is different for many.
545443
What is a signing group? Like sign language?
465741
no... she signs the words back or makes a gesture that is shows that the words were not what was suppose to have been said. \n\nIf a deaf person swears then a nasty person had to teach that person the word... and that person should have his mouth washed out with soap instead...
340721
yes they say.. about 60% of the conversation is done by body languages and 30% by words... other 10% is the way u speak...\n\nthere are lots of sites and literatures on body languages... but the best way is to analyze people and understand it on ur own...\n\nif u really want some books or sites.. go to google... that would be a very helpful way to find on such topics...