Sunilingual

Sunilingual refers to a language teaching method that utilizes a combination of spoken and sign language to facilitate communication and promote language learning. The term primarily relates to the Japanese language, although similar methods can be applied to other languages.

Sunilingual was popularized in the late 20th century, particularly in Japan, where it was used by some television shows and educational materials. The method typically involves a spoken Japanese primary carrier phrase, supplemented by hand signs or finger spelling to convey specific information.

The use of sign language in Sunilingual serves several purposes. On one hand, it is intended to aid with pronunciation by illustrating the correct mouth and hand positions for specific Japanese characters. This technique can help learners develop a more accurate and expressive way of speaking. On the other hand, it also enables learners to communicate in situations where spoken Japanese is unclear or too rapid.

While Sunilingual was never an officially recognized language standard, it gained a following among some language learners and educators. However, it has largely fallen out of mainstream use and is now considered an archaic teaching aid. Some modern language teaching methods and products may borrow concepts from Sunilingual, but they typically do not go as far as employing full hand signs to match spoken phrases.

As a result, Sunilingual is mainly of interest to historians and linguists looking at the early 20th-century evolution of Japanese language instruction. Its unique attempt to combine spoken and signed language offers a glimpse into the inventive and sometimes extreme approaches to language learning adopted in different eras.