Sign languages and Deaf Communities

Abstract

This paper aims to shed light the concept of signed languages globally, developing documented approaches to their nature, definition, and development, and drawing comparisons with spoken languages. Like spoken languages, signed languages are living languages with distinct rules and grammatical structures.It also sheds light on the societal culture of the users of this language, who are the deaf. They have a unique linguistic specificity that affects and is influenced by the environment and surroundings, which is why there are multiple societal and linguistic cultures. This paper will address the stages of development of sign languages in the Arab region and worldwide, focusing on the efforts to document, disseminate, and expand their knowledge among the hearing community.It will also present a definition of international signs and Arabic signs that are used as a means of communication in Arab and international forums and symposiums.