viittomakielistä

Viittomakielistä refers to a concept related to sign languages, specifically in the Finnish context. It broadly encompasses the world and culture of sign language users. This includes not only the visual languages themselves, such as Finnish Sign Language (Suomalainen viittomakieli) and Fenno-Swedish Sign Language (Suomenruotsalainen viittomakieli), but also the community, history, and linguistic and cultural aspects associated with them.

The term highlights the unique linguistic modality of sign languages, which are fully developed natural languages that use manual and non-manual features to convey meaning. Unlike spoken languages, sign languages are primarily visual-gestural. This difference in modality means that sign languages have their own distinct grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, which are not directly derived from the spoken languages of the surrounding hearing community.

Understanding viittomakielistä involves recognizing the linguistic rights of sign language users and promoting the visibility and acceptance of sign languages. It encompasses issues of education, accessibility, translation, and the preservation of sign language heritage. Research into sign languages, including their structure, acquisition, and evolution, is a key component of this field. The concept also touches upon the social and cultural identity of Deaf communities, for whom sign language is often a central element.