We all know what sign language is right? Isn’t it fun to make gestures to convey a message? Like a secret that’s not really a secret. Many people already know SL alphabets. But how many sign languages are there really?
There’s ASL, BSL, JSL. American, British, Japanese and much more.
Why are there so many sign languages is a question that is not asked enough. What is the need for so many types when in the end, sign language is its own language. There are no types or categories of further languages in Japanese, English, Mandarin or any language you know of, is there? There might be a difference on how a language is spoken but not in the language itself. Why is sign language an exception?
People who need to use sign language on a daily basis might have learned a certain sign language and when or if they move to a new place, they’re supposed to learn a whole new type of the same language they learnt? Not only is that draining, its unfair, is it not?
Having a universal sign language makes things easier in every part of the world. Creating a universal sign language does not mean eradicating existing sign languages. But using all of those sign languages to create the most efficient sign language.
It’s a lot to think about but it also needs to be thought about.
-Ana
Veritas 