Does sign language differ from country to country?
468412
yes very much so. there are even regional dialects. i learnt British Sign Language but even in the next city, there are variations. you could use Macaton, I think thats international but its only basic
349685
well that depends, what country do you live in?
853001
Communication \n... to Word: Considering Modality Constraints in ASL/English Bilingual ... Sign Language (ASL) as a first language and written English as a second language.
392657
It is depends on which country you are living.
549714
ASL in America\nThe history of ASL is long and rich. Much of its early development, however, remains poorly documented. One reason for this is that, like spoken languages, the early forms of signed languages are not preserved. While we can establish the time and circumstances under which education and thus formal instruction in English and various forms of signing, were brought to deaf people in the United States, we have little idea about the structure of the language which deaf people used prior to this. In spite of the paucity of information about earlier forms of signed language, we should not doubt that deaf people did communicate with each other in a natural signed language. Even before hearing people began to take an interest in their education, we can be sure that deaf people used a signed language.\n\nAmerican Sign Language (ASL) is the visual/gestural language which is the primary means of communication of deaf people in America and parts of Canada. Current estimates are that between 100,000 and 500,000 people use ASL (Padden, 1987). This includes native signers who have learned ASL as their first language from deaf parents, hearing children of deaf parents who also learned ASL as their native language, and fluent signers who have learned ASL from deaf people (Padden, 1987).
686580
Different dialects (using the same language a little differently since sometimes it is often more than just an accent) tend to depend on where the people in that community come from.  The southern US for instance has areas greatly influenced by Spanish, French and African languages.  Their take on English is a little different.  Also if people live in a place where crude language or yelling are accepted their dialect with change to fit this.  It also depends on influence locally.  How does the mayor, or people watched on tv speak?
410590
Absolutely, but you are only bilingual if you "speak" American Sign Language (ASL) in this country, because it is recognized as a cultural language with it's own grammar system. If you speak English and know Signed Exact English (SEE) or another sign-to-word system, those are not considered their own cultural language and therefore, you would NOT be bilingual.
1073166
Only if they can hear. There different degrees of deafness. Some can hear a little to not being able to hear at all. Some were born that way while other happen over time.\n\nThe same is true with dreams of a deaf person they do not dream voices the dream in sign.\n\nThey have a complex language that takes usually 8 years to master. The same area in the brain that is used for spoken language is also used in sign. \n\nHere are some links to help you better understand ASL American Sign Language.
941299
its pretty much a different country,and its language is official,you know polite!
443085
You think in your primary language, right? I'm learning sign language and sometimes I think in sign.  Its very frustrating when I'm writing things and I can't thing of the English and I want to just write the sign, but I can't.\n\nShort and simple, yes
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.
547613
There are many sign languages.  Users of different sign languages cannot understand each other, just as users of different spoken languages cannot understand each other.\n\nYour question suggests you think there might be sign language equivalents of spoken languages, i.e. Arabic sign language is used in places where people speak Arabic.  This is not true because sign languages are created and used by themselves; they are not signed versions of spoken languages.  Nicaraguan Sign Language, for example, was created entirely by deaf children who lived in the same school in Nicaragua; it is not a signed version of Spanish.  American Sign Language also is not a signed version of English -- it has its own syntax and is very different from English in some respects.  I hope this clears that up.\n\n(Actually, there is a signing system called Signed English that IS a signed version of English but it's not considered a language.)
825434
Hey,\n\n No probs, here:\nhttp://216.109.124.98/search/cache?p=Sign+language+alphabet+in+filipino&prssweb=Search&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ques&x=wrt&meta=vc%3D&u=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sign_languages&w=sign+language+alphabet+filipino&d=JNkoSpIFNw-l&icp=1&.intl=uk\n\nYou'll find info on Filipino and other foreign sign languages.
222845
don't know what country you are from...
368058
Children (deaf or hearing) learn sign language at the same speed as hearing children learn spoken language, as far as research can tell at the moment.  The two differences are:\n\nfirst, that due to the difficulty of controlling vocal chord muscles compared to arm and hand muscles, babies are able to produce recognisable signs at an earlier age than they can produce recognisable words, and \n\nsecond, deaf children will only learn sign as fast as hearing children learn spoken languages if they are exposed to sign at the same age (i.e. from birth) and to the same amount (i.e. all the time) as hearing children hear spoken language.\n\nIf you are asking this question because you have a deaf child, or know someone who has, I have three recommendations if you don't know sign yourself.\n\n1. Get a deaf babysitter to come and visit often to sign to the baby.  As he/she gets older, contact your local Deaf organisation and get involved there.\n2. Learn sign yourselves.  It will take you years to become fluent and you won't learn it fast enough to significantly help your child (that's why you need the babysitter) but it will be of great help when they're older.\n3. Also learn Cued Speech (link below). This is not sign, it's a way of making spoken English "visible" to deaf people and it has three good features: it's very quick to learn (20 hours), it will help your child understand English and it can be used as well as sign, not just instead of.
104666
I've heard it compared to the difference between American and British English.  That means that there would be differences in accent, vocabulary, and probably grammar.
404809
Their is no way I can assure you.  Over their in England, there English is so much better than we hick Americans.  Although in Australia, their were convicts that effected there language, so maybe there messed up, too.  They're are other ways to mess up their, by the way.  Also over their in China, there not speaking English, so most people wouldn't know this question from here or their. (Not to mention telemarketers their in India).  So in conclusion, the best way to know if there incapable of knowing the differences in there language is to take to heart the words of some old English teacher crone patting you on the knee saying, "There, their now sweetie, it will be alright."