How Many Sign Languages Exist Around the World?

Direct Answer

There are approximately 300 distinct sign languages currently in use globally. These are independent languages that evolved naturally within local Deaf communities. They are not 'coded' versions of the local spoken languages; for instance, American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) are completely mutually unintelligible despite both countries speaking English.

Evolution of Variants

Sign languages follow the same evolutionary paths as spoken ones. They are influenced by geography, isolation, and cultural shifts. Interestingly, many sign languages belong to 'families.' ASL is actually more closely related to French Sign Language (LSF) than it is to BSL, because the first American school for the deaf was founded by a French educator.

Global Distribution

• North America: ASL and LSQ (Quebec Sign Language).
• Europe: LSF (France), DGS (Germany), and BSL (UK).
• Asia: ISL (India), JSL (Japan), and CSL (China).
• Oceania: Auslan (Australia) and NZSL (New Zealand).

Preservation in the Digital Age

Technology is now helping to document and preserve endangered sign languages used by smaller indigenous communities. AI-driven 'sign corpora' allow researchers to map regional dialects before they are lost to globalization.

Actionable Insights

If you plan to travel, do not assume your home signs will work. Many international events use International Sign (IS), a simplified 'pidgin' sign language used for cross-border communication. FAQ: Which is the most popular? ASL is widely used as a second sign language globally. Link: The universality myth. References: Ethnologue: Languages of the World | World Federation of the Deaf