Should signed languages be classed as natural languages?

As we saw yesterday, there are many different sign languages which aid communication in deaf communities. But should this form of communication be labelled as ‘real’ language?

Jean Aitchison (1998) recorded that there are ten characteristics which are essential for human languages. These are arbitrariness, semanticity, cultural transmission, use of the vocal-auditory channel, spontaneous usage, turn taking, duality, displacement, structure dependence and creativity. In order to judge the similarity between sign and spoken languages we need to discuss whether sign language shows these features.

1)      Arbitrariness means that there are no connections between words and the object that it describes. An example of this is that the word chair does not in any way reflect the shape of a chair. Many signs do show arbitrariness, for example the ASL for keep (http://www.handspeak.com/word/index.php?dict=ka&signID=1188). However, some signs do relate very closely to their meaning and are very iconic. Such as in ASL, the action for ‘cat’ is using fingers to imitate their whiskers on one cheek. This hints that may be not all signs are arbitrary. But, in English there are also exceptions to this rule since onomatopoeias, like ‘meow’, show the sound of certain actions.

 

2)      Semanticity is the use of symbols to refer to objects or actions. All sign languages show this because they contain a variety of linguistic components, including verbs and nouns. Many sign languages contain these components in very similar way to spoken languages and must refer to the actions and objects as they are understood by other users.

3)      Cultural transmission is the ability for parents to teach their children the language. Deaf children learn sign language in similar stages as hearing children would learn spoken language. Especially if the parents use sign language, the child will pick up the language within the first 6 years. If the children have learning disorders, this will obviously take longer unless they learn a more suited sign language like Makaton.

4)      Obviously, sign language does not use the vocal-auditory channel. However, in certain sign languages like Signed English people may speak at the same time as they sign.

5)      Just like any other language, sign language has spontaneous usage because people are able to use the language freely.

6)      Turn taking is a major characteristic in any language because it is the only way in which we can communicate effectively, so that we can gain information and contact. Sign language uses turn taking to form a conversation.

7)      Duality is the idea that language has two different layers; the constituents of language such as letters or sounds and the words that they form when put together. This is shown in finger spelling/ manually coded sign language because they use the alphabet to form words. This is also shown when forming proper nouns, for in the majority of sign languages you have to sign each letter of the name using the alphabet.

8)      Displacement is the ability to refer to things that are not physically present. Sign language users have this ability as they can use their signs to discuss anything that they want to. 

9)      Structure dependence is a more complicated idea people are able to recognise clauses and that certain words are related to each other. This is harder to find in sign languages because they tend to be simpler, however Signed English must show this characteristic as it relates closely to the English language.

10)   Creativity shows that humans can discuss anything that they like – even if it is absurd. It also shows that there are a number of different responses to stimuli. For example, in an art gallery someone may evaluate the art my saying ‘it’s lovely’ others may say ‘it’s too bright’ where as someone else may say ‘I’m too hungry to look at art’. This ability to communicate any thought is also shown in sign languages as there are a vast variety of signs for every occasion.

As we have seen, Sign language shows a number of characteristics shown throughout spoken languages and therefore I think it is right that they are classed as natural languages. This was recently reflected by an internet petition given by the Whitehouse. In December 2012 the minimum signature requirement of 250,000 was met. The conclusions of this were that the US parliament recognised ASL as a ‘foreign language’ and soon ASL should be announced a ‘natural language’. Hopefully, this trend will shortly follow in the United Kindgom. This shall boost awareness across the UK and hopefully help users and the deaf communities. As quoted by G.Yule:

There is a very old joke among the deaf which begins with the question ‘What is the greatest problem facing deaf people?’ Perhaps increased knowledge and appreciation for the language among the world at large will bring about a change in the old response to that question. The traditional answer was ‘Hearing people’