Jelölnyelveket

Jelölnyelveket, or sign languages in general, are visual-gestural communication systems used primarily by deaf and hard‑of‑hear communities worldwide. Unlike spoken languages, they rely on body language, facial expressions, and spatial orientation to convey meaning. Each sign language develops independently within a specific cultural group, so signs in one language rarely correspond directly to those in another.

The earliest documented sign language dates back to the 15th century in England, but the first formal study was by Blake in 1833, who described American Sign Language (ASL). ASL itself emerged from a blend of French Sign Language and home signs of deaf children in the United States. From the 20th century onward, sign languages spread through educational institutions, mixed‑language communities, and media. UNESCO has recognized thirty seven major sign languages as distinct linguistic systems.

Key features of sign languages include a complex grammar that can differ markedly from that of the region’s spoken language. For example, ASL uses topic‑comment structure and works-phrase order, and incorporates classification of hand shapes to indicate animate vs. inanimate nouns. Sign languages also make extensive use of classifier constructions, which allow a single sign to represent many related ideas.

Recognition and support for jelölnyelveket vary by country. Several nations have granted legal status to their national sign languages, mandating accessibility in education, healthcare, and public services. Internationally, the World Federation of the Deaf promotes standardization, advocacy, and the right to sign language education. Continued research in signed linguistics, technology, and policy is expanding understanding and visibility of these linguistic communities.