Spoken Languages and Sign Languages: A Comparison Essay by Yamilet Z. López Méndez, Mia V. Zeno Cintrón, Patricia A. Pérez & Ariana P. Roldán González
- upragenglishpublic
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
Language is a fundamental part of human life, enabling us to communicate thoughts, emotions, and ideas. While most people are familiar with spoken languages, sign languages are often misunderstood or overlooked. However, sign languages are just as rich, complex, and expressive as their spoken counterparts. Though they differ in form, spoken and sign languages are remarkably similar in structure, function, and cultural significance.
Both languages have a system of grammar. Spoken languages have grammatical rules to form plurals, verb tenses, and questions. In the same way, sign language also makes use of grammatical rules. In addition, both share the same function of communication, allowing humans to convey meaning, express emotions and, share experiences. The acquisition of sign language in deaf children of deaf parents is similar to the acquisition of spoken language in hearing children of hearing parents. Children acquire both spoken and sign languages in a similar sequence of developmental stages.
Sign language, like spoken language, shows regional and social variation. This variation can be observed, for example, in how Spanish is spoken in Spain compared to how it is spoken in Puerto Rico. In the same way, English speakers from different countries may have difficulty understanding each other. Sign language users also experience this—for example, those who use American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL), both used in English-speaking countries but not mutually intelligible. Sign languages also include slang and idioms, similar to those found in spoken language. Teenagers often use these expressions to communicate in a more natural and relatable way. As a result, they have developed different techniques to express themselves within their community.
Additionally, creative work is done in both spoken and sign languages. From J.K. Rowling's novels to Shakespeare's plays, the English language has a rich literary heritage. Similarly, more and more plays and poems are being written in sign language. These pieces are performed live by deaf theatrical companies around the world and at cultural festivals. By using visuals to preserve and adapt the storytelling tradition, deaf creators frequently tackle concerns about living in a hearing environment.
In conclusion, both spoken and sign languages are highly developed systems that allow us to communicate complex ideas, emotions, and experiences. They share similarities in grammar, creativity, and regional variations, but differ in their modes of communication and cultural representations. Ultimately, both types of languages serve both functional and creative purposes, allowing people to fully express themselves. Appreciating these languages helps us understand the diverse ways humans connect and share our experiences.
