Sign language (SL) is a way of visually communicating meanings through signals (hand shapes, body orientation, movement of the hands, arms or body) and facial expressions.

Sign language, as its own language, has unique grammar rules and syntax that differentiates it from its spoken counterparts and there are different versions of sign language spoken across countries.

Us Singaporeans have our own sign language too - named Singapore Sign Language (SgL)!

Our very own native branch of sign language!

It has a number of influences such as: Shanghainese Sign Language, American Sign Language, Signing Exact English and other local signs. This is what the deaf community in Singapore often uses.

If you are curious to learn some basic SgL, do watch our video covering communication with persons who are deaf under the Learning Resources tab.

Signing Exact English (SEE):

SEE is based upon the English language and thus utilises the same structure and system, with prefixes and suffixes differentiating similar root words, same grammatical structure and even uses the same signings for similar words in different contexts, such as ‘running a race’ or ‘running a program’. 

Pidgin Sign English (PSE):

PSE is defined as a method of communicating between hearing folks and persons who are deaf: making use of American Sign Language (ASL) signs but rearranging them them in English word order. Although known to be somewhat less expressive and emotive than ASL, it makes for a good way to bridge the systematic differences between spoken English and ASL or other sign languages.

To clarify, however: not all persons who are deaf know and use sign language. Some may have been taught sign language from young, while others may have lost their hearing later in life and continued to rely on speech to communicate.

Sign language is closely tied to the culture of the deaf community, and on top of having internally developed a rich and unique way of communicating, there are plenty of song and video performances translated into sign language to make pop culture equally accessible to the deaf community.

​