Did you know there are over 300 different sign languages in the world, spoken by more than 72 million people?
If you’re looking to learn sign language, whether for a loved one, to improve your communication skills, or simply for your own personal journey, then you’ve come to the right place.
Remitly is always working on how to inform and connect our readers. In this article, we’ll take a look at sign languages across the globe, history, education, and how learning sign language helps bridge communities and make the world more accessible for everyone.
The rich diversity of global sign languages
Just as Spanish, Mandarin, and Swahili each developed in different parts of the world, sign languages also originated within the Deaf and larger communities—not as translations of spoken words, but as complete languages of their own.
Many people don’t realize just how many sign languages exist and how they truly open up a world of new and beautiful communication.
Not just one language
In the US and parts of Canada, American Sign Language (ASL) is widely used; cross the Atlantic, however, and you’ll find British Sign Language (BSL). They may have some overlap, but once you’re fluent, you’ll realize they’re entirely different.
It’s important to consider which sign language you want to become fluent in—English has multiple sign languages, each incorporating and conforming to its specific region.
Other examples include:
- New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL): Officially recognized since 2006, NZSL includes signs to reflect Maori culture.
- Japanese Sign Language (JSL): After 20 years of advocacy, Japanese Sign Language is now officially recognized in Japan.
- Catalan Sign Language (CSL): In the Catalan region of Spain, Catalan is not only spoken alongside Spanish but is also signed.
A word means something different everywhere—signed or spoken
Just like spoken language, words vary from country to country and even region to region. Dialects exist worldwide, and this is true of sign language as well. The sign for “tree” in ASL will not be the same as in BSL, let alone JSL.
This is one reason why saying “sign language” can be misleading—in reality, it’s sign languages—plural.
For an even deeper dive, you can check out databases, like the World Federation of the Deaf, to understand the different kinds of sign languages that exist and where they are officially recognized as a national language.
Understanding sign language structure and grammar
A common misconception is that sign language is just “gestures” or simplified versions of spoken languages. But as you’ll learn, each sign language has its own grammatical systems.
The building blocks of sign languages
Every sign language has a set of building blocks that help with structure and grammar. Let’s look at ASL to better understand what is needed to successfully and fluently sign.
In sign language, your hands and face, even your body, are part of correctly conveying the language.
- Handshape: How the fingers and palm are positioned can change the word. Think of tonal languages; the slightest variation in tone means you might be saying a completely different word.
- Movement: Moving upward, downward, back, forward, diagonal, or even zigzagging is used to communicate words and sentences.
- Location: Where your hand is located, such as the forehead, chest, or in the air, can represent certain words within the conversation to help better identify them.
- Palm orientation: Palm orientation can change the meaning of the word. For example, palms down moving up and down can mean “balance,” whereas palms up with the same movements can mean “maybe.”
- Facial expressions: These are essential not only for grammar but also for conveying emotion.
Spatial grammar
One important aspect of sign language is its use of space. Unlike spoken languages, which rely heavily on word order, sign languages often assign meaning to physical locations around the signer.
For example, you might place “Maria” on your left and “Jessica” on your right. From that moment on, pointing left means Maria, and pointing right means Jessica. This allows those who are signing to tell stories and have conversations in a vivid and spatial way.
Sign languages in education and accessibility
Researchers at Gallaudet University, the world’s leading university for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, have published numerous studies showing how sign language benefits young children, especially, and shows almost identical benefits to those seen in children who are bilingual in spoken languages.
While over 300 sign languages exist across the globe, there are many countries with Deaf communities that have no common sign language, making it difficult for those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing to access resources and information—sometimes even life-saving ones—keeping these communities isolated to this day.
Oralism vs. bilingual education
The 1880 Milan Conference had significant effects on the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities by promoting oralism—a system that emphasized teaching speech and lip reading instead of sign language—over sign language and Deaf education.
For decades upon decades, sign language education would be suppressed and largely inaccessible. This limiting of opportunity for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to learn and use sign languages would have a profound impact for generations.
The 1880 Milan Conference’s decrees were only denounced in 2010 at the 21st International Congress of the Education of the Deaf. They were officially fully renounced this year in 2025.
Today, research supports bilingual models: giving children access to both sign and written/spoken language. Early exposure not only promotes stronger cognitive skills for Deaf and hard of hearing children but also boosts emotional development.
Babies, especially, absorb language in a way that enables them to easily understand different forms of communication and often learn signs before they speak their first words. In fact, inspired by the sign languages used by Deaf and hard of hearing communities, “baby sign language” began to gain popularity in the 2000s even among hearing populations as parents sought to facilitate early communication with their infants.
Accessibility beyond the classroom
Access to sign language aids development and provides a sense of belonging where once there was only isolation.
Luckily, learning sign language today doesn’t have to stop once you leave the classroom. Looking around, you can see many instances where people within your community can use and benefit from sign language.
Here are some key areas where sign language makes a difference:
- Media access: Captioning and sign language interpretation on TV and streaming services.
- Public services: Services that allow for interpreters through video or in-person assistance.
- Legal rights: Countries that legally recognize sign language as an official language, like New Zealand, allow for its protection and preservation of both the language and its communities.
Technology’s impact on sign language communication
For as many opportunities technology can present, there can be just as many challenges, especially when it comes to sign language.
Consider how you apply and use technology to help you learn sign language and how it impacts sign language communication overall.
Is it replacing or supporting sign languages, and how can we ensure what’s best for the community and its needs?
Video and social media
Social media platforms that prioritize video have brought together the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, especially now as translations and subtitles get better and more accessible with each passing year.
Signing is visual, so these apps naturally amplify sign language content, allowing people to share stories and participate equally in cultural moments.
Video connections not only bring awareness to the need and use of signing and subtitles, but also encourage us to rethink accessibility and how we approach it as a society.
In fact, new innovations like AI-driven recognition software that translates sign language into text or speech and real-time translation apps are great ways to continue to bridge communication gaps.
While these tools can’t replace human interpreters, they can support and create more opportunities for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Cultural identities and Deaf communities
For many in the Deaf community, sign language is more than just communication—it’s also part of who they are—their identity.
If you noticed, throughout this article, when writing about the Deaf community, the “D” is capitalized, showing pride and that being Deaf is not merely a medical diagnosis.
Many medical models present deafness as something to overcome, while cultural models recognize deafness as a rich identity with a long history. This can also be seen in international gatherings, including the Deaflympics and Deaf Oktoberfest.
Traditions and storytelling
Deaf culture has a lot of unique forms of expression when it comes to telling stories, performing art, and conveying humor.
With decades of suppression finally being left behind, Deaf history and culture is now being preserved in ways that pave the way for younger generations to benefit.
- Storytelling: Highly visual and performed with expressive movement.
- Sign poetry: Plays with rhythm, repetition, and space.
- Humor: Comedy and jokes often highlight experiences of misunderstanding or visual wit.
And while there are now over 300 sign languages, just like spoken languages, sign languages can run the risk of becoming endangered.
The need for preservation calls for legal recognition, use in schools, and more media presence to prevent smaller sign languages like Valencian Sign Language from disappearing.
Supporting sign language communities
If you’re inspired to get more involved, or if you find that your personal circumstances call for sign language to become part of your life, there are many ways to immerse yourself in signing communities. Like any language, the process of becoming fluent has its ups and downs, but with practice and patience, you can be signing in no time.
Here are just a few ways to help support and improve your fluency:
- Take a class: Local Deaf organizations, online platforms, and libraries can direct you to resources and classes.
- Practice consistently: Using greetings or simple phrases regularly can help you build confidence and make signing feel more natural.
- Engage with the community: Attend events, performances, or meetups that allow you to practice with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Culture and language often go hand in hand. When engaging with new communities, consider how you approach new friends, colleagues, or loved ones.
- Maintain eye contact—it’s part of communication.
- Don’t shout or over exaggerate; natural signing is best.
- Ask politely if someone prefers signing, lipreading, or writing.
- Respect terms used for identity: some prefer Deaf person, others may prefer “person who is Deaf.”
Connecting through sign builds bridges
Accessibility comes with knowledge. Sign languages are more than just communication tools for those who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing—they’re a means of communication that breaks down barriers, creating a world that values voices, both spoken and signed.
Weaving signs into your everyday life can help you take the steps in becoming more fluent for your loved ones and your community. Because when we learn languages, we’re not just learning to sign words—we’re engaging with a community rich with history and culture.
Need more resources on language learning? Remitly has plenty to choose from in our Immigration & Living Abroad section.
FAQs
Is sign language the same everywhere?
Sign languages are not universal; each one is its own language, not directly translated from spoken words, and sign languages vary from country to country and within the same language.
How long does it take to become fluent in sign language?
How long it takes to become fluent varies from person to person, but consistency and immersing yourself in the sign language community can help speed things up.
Can babies learn sign language before they speak?
Yes, babies can learn signs even before they speak. Many parents help encourage early communication in their infants by infusing signs into their everyday routines to help babies pick up on gestures and meanings. Many babies learn signs before they say their first words.
Do all Deaf people use sign language?
No, not necessarily. Some Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals might prefer speech and the use of hearing technology or lip reading to assist them. This may not only be due to personal choice, but also depends on how many people in their immediate community can sign.
How can I find sign language classes in my area?
A good place to start is reaching out to local Deaf organizations, using online platforms, or even going to your local library to find sign language classes in your area.