Languages {American Sign Language} (ASL) can use signs that stand for whole words and phrases, unlike spoken or written languages.
phonology
Sign language has phonology, because signs have components: hand shapes, body locations, hand and arm movements, and hand orientation.
morphology
Sign language has morphology, because tense has distinct spatial patterns.
syntax
Sign language has syntax of word orders, space locations, and movement directions. Sign order is not important in American Sign Language. Different objects are in different space regions to distinguish them. Signs can have different directions to show relations. Spatial processing in sign language is separate from other visual-spatial brain abilities.
biology
Deaf children who see sign language from birth first sign at five or six months old. Sign language production and comprehension use same brain regions as spoken language. Left hemisphere is dominant. Brain-region damage leaves similar production and comprehension deficits.
Social Sciences>Linguistics>Language
Outline of Knowledge Database Home Page
Description of Outline of Knowledge Database
Date Modified: 2022.0224