Is ASL A Universal Language?

The American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter had just finished her interpreting assignment and was just leaving the building when she was approached by two very curious members of that previous audience. Their question was: Is ASL a universal language?

This is a sincere and frequently asked question by many inquisitive observers, and the answer is: No, ASL is not a universal language nor an international language. For a bit of clarification here are two reasons some observers may think it is:






(1) American Sign Language, mostly referred to as ASL, incidentally happens to have some known universal features in comparison to other world signed languages.

(2) Shared linguistic universal features of some world signed languages have sometimes been called contact variety. These are known features that make it possible for users of different signed languages to come together and formulate ways to communicate.

There are, of course, countless examples of contact variety in signed languages, following is just one example. This scene takes place just outside a huge grocery store: Sandra (not her real name) is an adult Deaf and native ASL user. Andrew (not his real name) is a native English Language hearing person. As Andrew steps out of the store, he notices something unusual happening with Sandra and says, You look lost, can I help you?

Sandra sees Andrew's concerned look and replies with the motions as if handling a car's steering wheel while her eyes pan the parking lot. Andrew may not know any sign language but can gather from gestures that Sandra is looking for her car. In this scenario, putting together the main components of communication we note three universal features which are; looking lost, steering wheel, and eye-gaze. Andrew has now gathered the main point of the message being conveyed, therefore allowing for communication to take place. (enter paper and pencil, yes, Andrew helps her find her car).

Back to the two curious observers watching the ASL interpreter with their question: Is ASL a universal language? No, it is not, however, it does have some universal features which make communication possible. And just as hearing people have the propensity to communicate in spoken languages with other countries, so do deaf people in ASL, other signed languages, and with other members of deaf communities around the world.

Krystalina Soash is a freelance writer and trilingual interpreter with two published works, "Your Positive Potential: Action Steps for Self-Empowerment" and "Writing Tips for Student Projects... " You may visit Krystalina at [http://www.writingforyounow.com] and at [http://www.yourpositivepotential.com]

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