difference between asl and bsl

jangame

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13-10-2024

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American Sign Language (ASL) vs. British Sign Language (BSL): A Comparative Guide

Sign languages, just like spoken languages, are diverse and nuanced, reflecting the cultural and historical influences of their communities. While both American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) use hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language to communicate, there are significant differences between the two. Understanding these distinctions can be helpful for anyone interested in learning sign language or engaging with deaf communities around the world.

Similarities:

• Visual-spatial communication: Both ASL and BSL rely on visual-spatial elements to convey meaning.
• Grammar: Both sign languages have unique grammar structures, often differing from spoken English grammar.
• Non-manual markers: Both languages utilize facial expressions, head movements, and body posture to modify meaning and add emphasis.

Key Differences:

1. Handshapes:

• ASL: Utilizes a wider range of handshapes, often incorporating intricate finger positions.
• BSL: Employs a more limited set of handshapes, focusing on clear and distinct movements.

2. Sign Order:

• ASL: Generally follows a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, similar to spoken English.
• BSL: Employs a topic-comment (TC) structure, where the topic is presented first followed by the comment or information about it.

3. Sign Space:

• ASL: Uses a wider signing space, often extending outwards and incorporating the upper torso.
• BSL: Primarily utilizes a more restricted signing space, focusing on the area directly in front of the signer.

4. Cultural Influences:

• ASL: Heavily influenced by French Sign Language (LSF) due to its historical development in Deaf schools.
• BSL: Rooted in the British Deaf community and influenced by earlier British Sign Language traditions.

5. Linguistic Development:

• ASL: Has a more established and documented linguistic structure due to its early adoption by deaf education institutions.
• BSL: Continuously evolving and evolving with the British Deaf community's cultural and social shifts.

Practical Examples:

• "Hello": In ASL, "Hello" is signed with a flat hand moving towards the chest. In BSL, "Hello" is signed with the index finger and thumb forming a "C" shape, moving towards the forehead.
• "Thank you": ASL uses a "thank you" sign with the index finger and middle finger extended, moving from the chin to the chest. BSL uses a "thank you" sign with the hand open and palm facing the receiver, moving forward and down.

Understanding the Differences:

Recognizing the differences between ASL and BSL is crucial for effective communication within deaf communities. It's important to note that sign languages are not just visual representations of spoken languages. Each sign language is a distinct linguistic system with its own rules and cultural contexts.

Further Exploration:

To delve deeper into the fascinating world of sign languages, consider exploring resources from:

• National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for information on ASL: https://www.nad.org/
• Deafness, Deafblindness and Sign Language Research Centre (DC-Sign) for information on BSL: https://www.dc-sign.org.uk/

Learning a new language, especially one that uses visual communication, opens doors to a new world of experiences and understanding. By appreciating the unique features of sign languages like ASL and BSL, we can bridge communication gaps and foster connections with the deaf communities around us.