Japanese Sign Language

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Japanese Sign Language (JSL) is the dominant sign language used in Japan. Like other sign languages, JSL is a full-fledged and complex language, utilizing signs made with the hands, facial expressions, and body movements to convey meaning. It is distinct from spoken Japanese and has its own grammar and syntax that differ significantly from the spoken language.

History

The history of JSL dates back to the 18th century, though it likely has been in use in some form for much longer. The formal recognition and study of JSL have evolved significantly over the years. Initially, education for the deaf in Japan was primarily focused on teaching them to read lips and speak. However, in the 20th century, there was a shift towards recognizing JSL as a legitimate language, and it began to be incorporated into education for deaf individuals.

Linguistic Features

JSL, like other sign languages, is characterized by its use of manual gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. It has its own set of phonological rules and syntactic structures. For example, JSL uses a topic-comment syntax, which is different from the subject-object-verb (SOV) order found in spoken Japanese.

Grammar

The grammar of JSL includes the use of spatial locations to indicate subjects and objects, directional verbs that show the relationship between participants, and non-manual signals to express grammatical functions. The language also employs classifiers, which are handshapes that represent categories of objects and their movement or location in space.

Vocabulary

JSL has a rich vocabulary that includes signs for a wide range of concepts, including abstract ideas, emotions, and cultural terms specific to Japan. Some signs are derived from the visual representation of the concept they represent, while others may borrow elements from spoken Japanese, such as finger spelling for borrowed words.

Education and Community

There is a strong deaf community in Japan that uses JSL as their primary means of communication. Education for deaf students includes the teaching of JSL, alongside Japanese reading and writing. There are also several universities in Japan that offer programs and courses in JSL and deaf studies.

Recognition and Rights

The rights of JSL users have been a topic of advocacy within Japan. In recent years, there have been efforts to have JSL legally recognized as an official language, which would entail greater support and resources for JSL education and for the deaf community. While progress has been made, including the recognition of JSL in some legal contexts, advocates continue to work towards broader recognition and support.

See Also

• Sign language
• Deaf culture
• Linguistics