INTRODUCTION

Signed languages are the natural, visual-gestural languages of Deaf communities around the world.¹ Contrary to popular belief, there is not one universal, international signed language. Even different countries that all e.g. have English as their spoken language, may have different signed languages. In the United States, for example, American Sign Language is used, in Australia the signed language is called Auslan, and in the UK the Deaf community uses British Sign Language. This indicates that signed languages have evolved independently, although there is language contact between signed and spoken languages. This is evidenced by the fact that mouth movements resembling