Sign Language as a Universal Language of Communication

Abstract

Sign languages are the dominant means of communication between deaf people and a prominent feature of their culture. They are natural languages and are not a product of construction since they have developed spontaneously through assembly and the need for communication. The development of a healthy identity and the ability to fully integrate into society depends on how individuals relate to their environment and vice versa. Sign languages are natural languages that have phonological, morphological, and syntactic systems, but are not the same among different countries. Hence, sign languages have national characteristics, which can be considered an alternative part of nation branding, as part of the overall national identity. It is through national identities and their characteristics that countries embark into a nation branding building process, which is a long process that requires many years of commitment, national policies, and strategies.