* Deafness and spoken language: Deafness means a person cannot hear sounds, making it impossible to learn spoken language through listening.
* Alternative communication: Deaf individuals can communicate through:
* Sign language: This is a visual language using hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language.
* Written language: Deaf individuals can learn to read and write, although this may be more challenging without hearing.
* Other methods: Some use assistive technology like cochlear implants or hearing aids.
Important Considerations:
* Exposure to sign language: A child's primary language will be whatever form of communication they are exposed to from a young age. If exposed to sign language, that will be their native language.
* Multiple languages: Deaf individuals can be bilingual or multilingual, just like hearing individuals. They might learn spoken language in addition to sign language, or they might learn different sign languages if they are exposed to them.
In conclusion, a deaf child wouldn't speak a spoken language but would develop a language based on their communication environment, most likely sign language.