1. Lack of understanding of language structure:
* Visual perception: Sign language relies on visual perception, which is different from the auditory perception of spoken language. This difference can lead people to believe that sign language is simply a set of gestures or symbols, rather than a complex system of grammar and syntax.
* Focus on spoken language: For centuries, language studies have primarily focused on spoken languages, leading to a bias that equates language with vocalization.
2. Limited exposure and societal biases:
* Deaf communities: Many people have limited exposure to Deaf communities and sign language. This lack of exposure can contribute to ignorance and misconceptions about sign language.
* Historically, sign language was discouraged: In many cultures, sign language was discouraged or even forbidden, as it was seen as a barrier to integration into the hearing world. This attitude reinforced the notion that sign language was inferior to spoken language.
3. Misinterpreting the nature of language:
* Oralism: Some believed that only spoken language was truly "language," and that sign language was just a method of communication for the Deaf, not a real language in its own right. This view, known as oralism, led to the suppression of sign language in many educational settings.
However, in recent decades, the scientific understanding of language has evolved:
* Linguistic research: Linguists have demonstrated that sign languages have all the characteristics of spoken languages, including complex grammar, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
* Growing acceptance: There is increasing recognition and acceptance of sign language as a fully-fledged language. This shift is driven by scientific evidence, the advocacy of Deaf communities, and greater exposure to sign language.
It's important to remember that sign language is not just a visual representation of spoken language. It is a unique and complex linguistic system with its own rules and structures. Dismissing sign language as "not a language" is a harmful misconception that perpetuates prejudice and discrimination against Deaf people.