QuickCheck: Is there only one sign language used around the world?

SIGN language is taught throughout the world, and those who know it can use it to communicate regardless of where they come from.

Is this true?

Verdict:

SOMEWHAT TRUE

Each country generally has its own native sign language. In fact, some have more than one.

The closest to a universal sign language that is understood internationally, is International Sign or IS.

IS is actually a pidgin language, meaning it is a pastiche of different languages that has been grammatically simplified to make it easier to learn.

The language is generally used during international events such as meetings and events such as those held by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) or the Deaflympics.

The need for a mutually intelligible language was discussed during the World Deaf Congress in 1951 when the WFD was formed.

The WFD then set up a committee to develop the language, and by 1973 it published a standardised vocabulary.

Originally called Gestuno, over the years the name fell out of use and now it is more commonly known as IS.

References:

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20131126034146/http://www.ethnologue.com/subgroups/deaf-sign-language

2. https://books.google.com.my/books?id=xAKXpO7mCE0C&pg=PA333&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false