Jelnyelvi

Jelnyelvi is a term used in Hungarian to refer to sign language or anything related to sign language use and study. In linguistics, jelnyelv denotes a natural language that conveys meaning through manual-visual modality, using hand shapes, movements, facial expressions and body posture.

Jelnyelvi communication is practiced by Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and others proficient in the language. It is not merely a collection of gestures or miming; sign languages have systematic phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon, and they can express a wide range of ideas, from concrete descriptions to abstract concepts and complex narratives.

Sign languages are not universal. Each community may have its own sign language, such as Magyar jelnyelv (Hungarian Sign Language), American Sign Language, British Sign Language and others. Although some signs may resemble gestures used in everyday communication, jelnyelvi grammar and structure are distinct from the grammar of spoken Hungarian. In many sign languages, facial expressions, eyebrow movement, head position and eye gaze function as grammatical markers or convey contrast, aspect and mood.

Jelnyelvi communities have rich cultural histories, including Deaf education, interpretation services and media in sign language. The legal and social status of jelnyelvi varies by country; many places recognize sign languages as legitimate languages and strive to provide access to education, interpretation and broadcast content.

Researchers in linguistics and cognitive science study jelnyelvi to understand language structure, processing, and how sign languages develop and change within communities.