señas

Señas is the plural form of the Spanish noun seña, a term used to refer to signs, signals, or distinctive marks. The word derives from a root meaning sign or gesture and is employed in various Spanish-speaking regions with overlapping but distinct meanings.

One common sense of señas is as a sign or gesture used to communicate nonverbally. People may make señas to beckon, direct attention, or indicate approval or disapproval without speaking. The phrase hacer señas is often used to describe these gestures, which can be simple hand movements or more elaborate signaling systems.

In many contexts, particularly when discussing Deaf communities, señas refers to sign language or individual signs. The standard term for the complete language is lengua de señas, while señas can denote the signs themselves or the act of signing. Sign languages are full natural languages with their own grammar and lexicon, distinct from spoken Spanish.

Señas also appear in contexts describing identifying marks or characteristics. Señas particulares refer to distinguishing features such as scars, tattoos, birthmarks, or clothing that help identify a person. This sense is common in legal, security, and forensic usage, where descriptive señas aid recognition or description.

Historically and in various regions, señas can encompass broader signaling methods, including flags, smoke, or other signaling devices used to convey information over distance. While muchos uses overlap with palabras such as señales, the term señas emphasizes the communicative act of signaling or identifying through visible cues.