Communication goes beyond spoken and written words. For millions of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people around the world, sign languages provide a natural and expressive way to communicate, share ideas, and connect with others.
But did you know that sign language is not universal?
Different countries and communities use different sign languages, each with its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural history. American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and Japanese Sign Language, for example, are distinct languages rather than variations of a single global system.
Like spoken languages, sign languages evolve within communities and reflect the identities and experiences of the people who use them.
In this article, we'll explore 10 sign languages used around the world, where they are commonly used, what makes them unique, and why they are important for global communication.
Top 10 Sign Languages Used Around the World at a Glance
There are many distinct sign languages worldwide. The following list highlights ten notable sign languages from different regions.
| No. | Sign Language | Abbreviation | Main Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Sign Language | ASL | United States, parts of Canada |
| 2 | British Sign Language | BSL | United Kingdom |
| 3 | French Sign Language | LSF | France |
| 4 | Japanese Sign Language | JSL | Japan |
| 5 | Chinese Sign Language | CSL | China |
| 6 | Brazilian Sign Language | Libras | Brazil |
| 7 | Indian Sign Language | ISL | India |
| 8 | German Sign Language | DGS | Germany |
| 9 | Auslan | Auslan | Australia |
| 10 | Mexican Sign Language | LSM | Mexico |
This list is not a ranking by the number of users. Reliable, directly comparable global statistics are limited, and sign language varieties may differ within individual countries.
1. American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language, commonly known as ASL, is one of the most widely recognized sign languages internationally.
It is primarily used by Deaf communities in the United States and parts of Canada.
ASL has its own grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures that differ from spoken English. It is a complete natural language expressed through hand movements, facial expressions, and body positioning.
ASL has historical connections to French Sign Language, although the two have developed into distinct languages.
What makes American Sign Language unique?
- Independent grammar: ASL does not follow English grammar word for word.
- Facial expressions: Facial movements play important grammatical and expressive roles.
- Visual communication: Handshapes, movements, and signing locations contribute to meaning.
- Cultural identity: ASL is closely connected to Deaf culture and community life.
ASL is also widely represented in educational materials, online videos, and accessibility initiatives, making it familiar to many people outside Deaf communities.
2. British Sign Language (BSL)
British Sign Language is the primary sign language used by Deaf communities in the United Kingdom.
Although the United States and the United Kingdom both use English as a major spoken language, ASL and BSL are distinct and are not generally mutually intelligible.
One noticeable difference is their fingerspelling systems. BSL typically uses a two-handed alphabet, while ASL uses a one-handed alphabet.
What makes British Sign Language unique?
- Two-handed fingerspelling: BSL uses both hands for its manual alphabet.
- Distinct grammar: Its sentence structures differ from spoken English.
- Regional variation: Signs can vary between communities and regions.
- Deaf cultural heritage: BSL plays an important role in Deaf identity across the United Kingdom.
BSL is used in education, interpretation, public services, media, and everyday communication.
Its differences from ASL demonstrate why sign languages should not be treated as universal.
3. French Sign Language (LSF)
French Sign Language, known as Langue des Signes Française or LSF, is used by Deaf communities in France.
LSF has played an influential role in the history of sign language education and the development of other sign languages.
Historical contact between French signing traditions and Deaf communities in North America contributed to the development of American Sign Language.
However, LSF and ASL are separate languages with their own linguistic features.
What makes French Sign Language unique?
- Historical influence: LSF has connections to the development of several other sign languages.
- Independent grammar: It has grammatical structures distinct from spoken French.
- Visual expression: Hand movements, facial expressions, and spatial relationships convey meaning.
- Cultural significance: LSF is an important part of Deaf community life in France.
Learning about LSF provides insight into the history of sign language education and the development of visual languages.
4. Japanese Sign Language (JSL)
Japanese Sign Language is used by Deaf communities in Japan.
JSL is a natural sign language with its own grammar and linguistic structures. It should not be confused with manually representing spoken Japanese word for word.
Like other sign languages, JSL relies on combinations of handshapes, movement, facial expressions, and spatial organization.
What makes Japanese Sign Language unique?
- Distinct linguistic structure: JSL has grammatical patterns different from spoken Japanese.
- Non-manual expressions: Facial expressions and other movements contribute to meaning.
- Community traditions: JSL reflects the history and cultural experiences of Deaf people in Japan.
- Regional connections: JSL shares historical and linguistic relationships with some other East Asian sign languages.
JSL plays an important role in education, community communication, and accessibility in Japan.
It also illustrates how sign languages develop within specific cultural and social environments.
5. Chinese Sign Language (CSL)
Chinese Sign Language is a broad term commonly used for signing varieties associated with Deaf communities in China.
China has a large and diverse Deaf population, and signing practices can vary across different regions.
Chinese Sign Language is not simply spoken Mandarin translated into gestures. It includes natural linguistic structures that differ from spoken and written Chinese.
What makes Chinese Sign Language unique?
- Regional diversity: Signing varieties can differ between cities and communities.
- Independent linguistic features: Natural signing does not necessarily follow Mandarin word order.
- Visual grammar: Movement, handshape, and spatial relationships help express meaning.
- Community importance: Signing supports communication and cultural identity among Deaf people in China.
Because Chinese signing practices are diverse, learners should consider the particular regional variety or community they want to communicate with.
6. Brazilian Sign Language (Libras)
Brazilian Sign Language, commonly known as Libras, is widely used by Deaf communities in Brazil.
Its Portuguese name is Língua Brasileira de Sinais.
Libras is officially recognized in Brazil as a means of communication and expression. It has its own grammar and vocabulary and is distinct from spoken Portuguese.
Libras also has historical connections to French Sign Language.
What makes Brazilian Sign Language unique?
- Official recognition: Libras has an established legal status in Brazil.
- Independent grammar: It is not a signed version of Portuguese.
- Educational importance: Libras is used in Deaf education and accessibility services.
- Cultural identity: It is closely connected to Brazil's Deaf communities.
Libras is used in schools, public services, interpretation, media, and everyday communication.
Its recognition highlights the importance of supporting sign languages as complete natural languages.
7. Indian Sign Language (ISL)
Indian Sign Language is used by Deaf communities across India.
India has considerable linguistic diversity, with many spoken languages used across different states and regions.
Indian Sign Language provides an important means of communication within Deaf communities despite differences in surrounding spoken languages.
Regional variations also exist within Indian signing communities.
What makes Indian Sign Language unique?
- Communication across regions: ISL supports communication among Deaf people from different linguistic backgrounds.
- Regional variation: Signs and signing practices can vary across India.
- Independent grammar: ISL has linguistic structures distinct from spoken Hindi, English, and other Indian languages.
- Educational importance: It plays an important role in Deaf education and accessibility.
ISL demonstrates how a sign language can connect communities within a country that has many different spoken languages.
8. German Sign Language (DGS)
German Sign Language, known as Deutsche Gebärdensprache or DGS, is used by Deaf communities in Germany.
DGS is a distinct natural language with its own grammatical structure and vocabulary.
It differs from spoken German and should not be confused with systems designed to represent German words manually.
What makes German Sign Language unique?
- Independent linguistic system: DGS has grammar that differs from spoken German.
- Spatial grammar: Signing space can be used to express relationships between people and objects.
- Facial expressions: Non-manual features contribute to grammatical meaning.
- Legal recognition: DGS is legally recognized in Germany.
DGS supports communication in education, public services, professional settings, and everyday life.
Its recognition reflects the importance of linguistic accessibility for Deaf communities.
9. Auslan (Australian Sign Language)
Auslan is the primary sign language used by Deaf communities in Australia.
The name Auslan comes from Australian Sign Language.
Auslan has historical connections to British Sign Language and belongs to the same broader sign language family as BSL and New Zealand Sign Language.
However, Auslan has developed its own vocabulary, regional variations, and cultural characteristics.
What makes Auslan unique?
- Historical connections: Auslan is related to British Sign Language.
- Two-handed fingerspelling: Its manual alphabet is closely related to the BSL system.
- Regional variation: Some signs differ across Australian communities.
- Cultural identity: Auslan is central to the identity and communication of many Deaf Australians.
Auslan is used in education, interpretation, community events, media, and public accessibility services.
Its development demonstrates how related sign languages can evolve differently across countries.
10. Mexican Sign Language (LSM)
Mexican Sign Language, known as Lengua de Señas Mexicana or LSM, is used by Deaf communities in Mexico.
LSM is a natural language with its own grammatical structures and vocabulary.
Although Spanish is the dominant spoken language in Mexico, LSM is not simply a visual representation of Spanish.
It is also distinct from American Sign Language, despite geographical proximity between Mexico and the United States.
What makes Mexican Sign Language unique?
- Independent grammar: LSM has linguistic structures different from spoken Spanish.
- Distinct vocabulary: Its signs are not identical to those used in ASL.
- Regional diversity: Some variations exist between Mexican signing communities.
- Cultural importance: LSM supports communication and identity among Deaf people in Mexico.
LSM plays an important role in education, interpretation, and communication within Mexican Deaf communities.
Is Sign Language Universal?
One of the most common misconceptions about sign language is that everyone around the world uses the same system.
In reality, there is no single universal sign language.
Different countries and communities have developed their own sign languages, just as spoken languages have developed in different regions.
For example, American Sign Language and British Sign Language are distinct, even though English is widely spoken in both countries.
Similarly, Japanese Sign Language and Brazilian Sign Language have different linguistic structures and vocabularies.
There is also a form of international signing commonly called International Sign, which is used in some international Deaf events and cross-border communication.
However, International Sign is not a universal native sign language that replaces the many natural sign languages used worldwide.
Understanding these differences is essential for respectful and effective communication.
How Do Sign Languages Work?
Sign languages are complete natural languages that use visual and bodily forms of expression rather than relying primarily on sound.
They combine several important linguistic features.
1. Handshapes
The shape of the hand can contribute to the meaning of a sign.
2. Hand Movements
Different movements and directions can distinguish signs or express grammatical information.
3. Signing Location
The position of a sign relative to the body or within signing space can affect its meaning.
4. Facial Expressions
Facial expressions can express emotions, questions, grammatical distinctions, and other information.
5. Body Position and Spatial Relationships
Body movements and the use of space can communicate relationships, actions, and references to people or objects.
These features work together to create complex and expressive languages capable of discussing everyday topics, abstract ideas, and specialized subjects.
Why Are Sign Languages Important?
Sign languages play a vital role in communication, education, cultural identity, and accessibility.
They allow many Deaf people to communicate naturally and participate fully in their communities.
1. Support Accessible Communication
Sign languages provide an important means of communication for Deaf people who use them.
2. Promote Inclusive Education
Access to sign language can support learning, classroom participation, and language development.
3. Preserve Deaf Culture
Sign languages carry community traditions, shared experiences, and cultural identity.
4. Improve Access to Public Services
Sign language interpretation and accessible communication can help people use healthcare, education, legal, and government services.
5. Encourage Social Inclusion
Greater awareness of sign languages can reduce communication barriers and promote respect for linguistic diversity.
Recognizing sign languages as natural languages is an important part of supporting accessibility and equal participation.
How to Choose a Sign Language to Learn
If you're interested in learning a sign language, choosing the right one depends on your location, community, and communication goals.
Consider Your Location
Learning the sign language used by Deaf communities in your country or region is often the most practical starting point.
Think About Who You Want to Communicate With
If you have friends, colleagues, or family members who use a particular sign language, learning that language can help you communicate more effectively.
Look for Community-Based Learning Opportunities
Classes and resources developed or taught by Deaf signers can provide valuable linguistic and cultural insight.
Understand That Sign Languages Differ
Learning ASL does not automatically mean you can communicate fluently with someone who uses BSL, JSL, or another sign language.
Practice Regularly
Like spoken languages, sign languages require consistent practice, interaction, and exposure to natural communication.
Learning a sign language can be a meaningful way to develop new communication skills and better understand Deaf communities.
Conclusion
Sign languages are an essential part of the world's linguistic diversity.
American Sign Language, British Sign Language, French Sign Language, Japanese Sign Language, Chinese Sign Language, Brazilian Sign Language, Indian Sign Language, German Sign Language, Auslan, and Mexican Sign Language all play important roles in their respective communities.
Although they share visual communication features, each has its own linguistic structures, history, and cultural significance.
Understanding these differences helps challenge the misconception that sign language is universal.
Whether you're interested in accessibility, language learning, or cultural exchange, exploring sign languages offers a valuable opportunity to appreciate the many ways people communicate around the world.
