### concept-based language:

Sign language
* allows deaf children to efficiently communicate and be successful in society.
* are an important way for deaf people to communicate
  - complete languages capable of expressing both concrete and abstract concepts
  - real languages
  - true linguistic systems
* can be similar to each other
  - useful, but only with other people who understand sign
  - influence each other
* concept-based language.
* differ from each other just as spoken languages do.
* does have 'accents'.
* form of communication just like any language used by hearing people
  - nonverbal communication
* full and complete language equal to any other language.
* gestural system which is widely used in the deaf community.
* is easier to see than speech reading or finger spelling
  - human language
  - in a sense a way the two groups can communicate with each other
  - more visual and has slightly different grammar than spoken language
  - no more universal than spoken languages
  - probably the origin of base ten mathematics
* is recognized as bona fide language
  - the official language of deaf people
  - taught in associations for deaf people and in some schools and colleges
* is the basis for communication between deaf people
  - best way that deaf children communicate with their family and friends
  - most important part of deaf culture
  - oldest way in which deaf people have communicated
  - primary form of communication for the severely and profoundly hearing impaired
  - understood to some degree by most deaf people
* is used as the first language
  - by hearing impaired and deaf people all over the world
* make a difference by helping the deaf talk.
* more rapid form of communication than talking.
* plays a critical role in the lives of most deaf people.
* provides a tactile method for children to learn, play , and express themselves
  - for rapid and efficient communication without the use of sound
* resemble oral languages in every way other than their modality.
* speaks to the sight.
* use hands and are understood with the eyes.
* vary around the world just as spoken languages do.
  * A 'sign language' way of communicating by using the hands and other parts of the body. Sign languages are an important way for deaf people to communicate. Deaf people often use them instead of spoken languages. Spoken languages use sounds from the mouth and are understood with the ears. Sign languages use hands and are understood with the eyes. People who are blind and deaf can use sign languages too. They feel each others' hands while they are signing.
  * A 'sign language' way of communicating by using the hands and other parts of the body. Sign languages are an important way for deaf people to communicate. Deaf people often use them instead of spoken languages. Spoken languages use sounds from the mouth and are understood with the ears. Sign languages use hands and are understood with the eyes. People who are blind and deaf can use sign languages too. They feel each others' hands while they are signing. Deaf people can use sign languages more easily than spoken languages.
* very old language.
* visual language and therefore is easier taught by the use of pictures
+ Sign language, Different sign languages: Disability :: Language-related lists
  * However, sign languages are not totally independent from each other. Sign languages can develop from the same source. For example, ASL, LSM, and LSQ all developed from Old French Sign Language. They are part of the same language family. Sign languages can be similar to each other. BSL, Auslan, and NZSL are very much alike. Linguists sometimes talk about them as if they are one language.
  * However, sign languages are not totally independent from each other. Sign languages can develop from the same source. For example, ASL, LSM, and LSQ all developed from Old French Sign Language. They are part of the same language family. Sign languages can be similar to each other. BSL, Auslan, and NZSL are very much alike. Linguists sometimes talk about them as if they are one language. Sign languages can influence each other. They sometimes copy signs from other sign languages
  - Grammar of sign languages
  * Sign languages are not simply mime. They are not gestures strung together without any rules. Sign languages are real languages
  - Sign languages in deaf culture
  * Sign language is the most important part of deaf culture. Through a sign language deaf people can create a social and cultural identity for themselves. They can communicate naturally with each other. The shared sign language helps hold their deaf community together. Hearing people use spoken languages to do the same things