sign language
"Sign language" is a visual means of communication that plays a crucial role in the lives of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, each country typically having its own version.
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Definition
B1General
(common)A visual means of communication using hand shapes, movements, and facial expressions, primarily used by deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
Example
- She learned sign language to communicate with her deaf friend.
C1Linguistics
(technical, academic)A fully developed natural language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, distinct from spoken languages.
Example
- American Sign Language (ASL) has a unique grammar system that differs from English.
B2Intercultural
(historical, cross-cultural)Communication through gestures as a substitute for spoken language, used historically by monks under vows of silence or during trade among different linguistic groups.
Example
- Traders from different regions used sign language to overcome language barriers.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sign language":