Do you consider Sign Language as a Language??  

I do consider it a second language, but I have deaf and hard of hearing family members. I don't know that everyone would think it would be though.

i never really thought about it and your right it is.. so there should be an option on surveys and applications to choose it then..

Thought I don't know sign language, I wish I did and I consider it a language. I think it would be great if it were our second language. So many times I wish we all knew it so we could talk to each other from a distance. I hate it when people yell at each other from across a room. I sure could use it where I work.

I would say that I do believe that it is because language is ones form of communication and to me it is speaking with actions instead of sound therefore sign language to me is an actual language.

Definitely. I think a language is a structured means of communication. Since a lot of people use Sign Language as a means of communication and because there is structure to it, I consider it a language. I don't think a language has to be spoken.

I consider ASL a language. Technically, you are speaking. Just with your hands. Just because you are not using your voice doesn't mean you're not making words. If you write the words, you're are still using a language. Hands are not that much different. Just used for different situations.

And I find it admirable you know ASL. I have tried, but failed because I couldn't remember everything.

I do consider it a second language. I have an ex-sister-in-law that is deaf and I worked previously in the mental health field and sign language was necessary. I say yes to it being a second language!

Yes, why not?..They have a name for everything else, and besides, it's a form of communication, only without sound. I guess it can be a language as long as it can be understood. If it's not a language, then what else could it be. There's a language for every tongue out there, I don't think it would be fair to silent tongues to not have a language also. I know this may sound silly, but I think I have a point.

taken from The American Heritage Dictionary:


language

NOUN:

1.
1. Communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols.

2. Such a system including its rules for combining its components, such as words.

3. Such a system as used by a nation, people, or other distinct community; often contrasted with dialect.



sign language

NOUN:

1. A language that uses a system of manual, facial, and other body movements as the means of communication, especially among deaf people.

2. A method of communication, as between speakers of different languages, that uses hand movements and other gestures.


so there you have it, by definition sign language is a true language.....and a very helpful one at that.

Sign language is a language indeed but i will never be considered as a second language nor first language. Come to think of it, wher we are a baby we communicate to our parents through sign language, so does it means that sign language is everybody's language?

Based on wikipedia, sign language uses virtually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning.