Skarp
Exploring the World of Sign Languages: A Global Perspective
This course introduces you to the incredible diversity of sign languages around the world, how they function as full natural languages, and why they matter for human rights and culture. You will compare major national sign languages, learn about International Sign, and explore current global movements for sign language recognition and inclusion.
Course Content
8 modules · 1h 55m total
What Are Sign Languages? Busting the “Universal Sign” Myth
Discover what sign languages are, how many exist globally, and why they are not universal. This module sets the foundation by framing sign languages as full, natural languages used by millions of people worldwide.
Deaf Communities, Culture, and Identity Around the World
Explore how sign languages are rooted in Deaf communities and cultures, and how Deaf identity is shaped by shared experiences, values, and art rather than by hearing status alone.
Inside a Sign Language: How Visual Grammars Work
Take a closer look at how sign languages are structured, including their use of handshapes, movement, facial expressions, and space to create grammar and meaning.
A Tour of Major Sign Languages: ASL, BSL, IPSL and Beyond
Compare some of the world’s most widely used sign languages, including American Sign Language, British Sign Language, Indo-Pakistani Sign Language, and others across different regions.
International Sign and Global Deaf Communication
Learn how Deaf people communicate across language borders using International Sign and other strategies, and why International Sign is not a fully standardized universal language.
Language Rights: Laws and Recognition of Sign Languages
Examine how sign languages are recognized (or not) in national laws, and how international human rights instruments support sign language rights and access.
Education, Access, and the Global Signing Ecosystem
Explore how sign languages function within education systems and broader societies, including interpreter training, accessibility, and the emerging idea of a global signing ecosystem.
Future Directions: Technology, Documentation, and Preserving Sign Languages
Look ahead at how technology, research, and advocacy are shaping the future of sign languages, from documentation of small village sign languages to apps and AI tools for learning and accessibility.
Read the Textbook
Read every chapter for free, right here in your browser.
In about 15 minutes, you will:
- Understand what **sign languages** are (and what they are *not*). - Learn current estimates for **how many sign languages** and **how many signers** there are worldwide. - Be able to **debunk the myth** that there is one universal sign language.
As of early **2026**, researchers, Deaf communities, and organizations like the **World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)** and **Ethnologue** agree on two big ideas: