Sign Language Linguistics

Sign Language Linguistics is the study of the structure, use, and meaning of sign languages, which are natural languages used by Deaf communities. It examines how signs convey ideas through hand movements, facial expressions, and body language, similar to spoken words and grammar. Researchers analyze aspects like syntax (sentence structure), morphology (word formation), and semantics (meaning). This field helps us understand that sign languages are fully complex, rule-based languages, highlighting their importance in communication and culture, and supporting their recognition as legitimate languages on par with spoken ones.