Linguistic Distinction Between Natural And Sign Languages

Abstract

This paper explores the linguistic distinctions between natural and sign languages, focusing on their structural, functional, and cognitive aspects. While natural languages are typically spoken and rely on auditory-vocal channels, sign languages use visual-manual modalities to convey meaning. Despite these modality differences, both systems share core linguistic properties such as phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. The study highlights how sign languages demonstrate the same complexity and expressive capacity as spoken ones, challenging misconceptions that they are merely gestural or simplified forms of communication. By analyzing linguistic evidence and theoretical frameworks, the paper emphasizes the equal linguistic status of sign languages and their essential role in understanding the nature of human language.