The Linguistics of Sign Language

The linguistics of sign language studies how visual gestures function as a structured language, with grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Sign languages use hand movements, facial expressions, and body posture to convey meaning, much like spoken language uses sounds and words. Each sign language is a complete language with its own rules and variations, not just gestures or miming. Linguists analyze how signs are organized, how they evolve, and how they communicate complex ideas, highlighting that sign languages are natural, rule-governed languages used by Deaf communities worldwide.