COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF SIGN LANGUAGES

Abstract

The object of the research is to analyze sign languages which have been an essential aspect of communication throughout human history of the disabled. It aims to examine the main stages of development of sign languages. The subject of the research is sign languages of the deaf and the hearing impaired. The research methods include a theoretical analysis of the works of Russian and foreign linguists and the method of comparative analysis. The results of the analysis of the main stages of sign languages let us come to the conclusion that the status of sign languages which have passed the historical gradual development responding to the needs of a developing society. The following aspects such as the verbal national language, linguistic schools, the culture of the people have a huge impact on the formation and development of any sign language. It should be noted that sign languages as well as verbal languages are related to each other. They are functionally complete (natural) languages with their own, sometimes rather complex internal mechanism.

Keywords

• sign language
• dactylology
• iconicity
• evolution of language
• typology