Exploring Gestuno and International Sign Language

Jamie Cormier and Alexandra Burroughs

Sign Language is a form of communication used primarily by the deaf and hard of hearing. Like spoken language, there are many forms of sign language throughout the world. Sign language is unique in that it five has parameters: handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and non-manual markers. Non-manual markers are facial expressions and body movements that are used to further convey a thought (“American Sign,” n.d.). Although there is no universal sign language, around as early as 1924, steps have been taken to develop an “international communication mode” (“European Union,” 2012). This mode has been referred to as Gestuno and International Sign (IS). The name Gestuno was developed later, around 1973, and can be translated from Italian to mean “oneness of sign languages” (Jones, 2001). Signers typically use iconic signs, non-manual marker, classifiers, and grammar commonly used in ASL (and other western areas). Iconic signs are signs that look very similar to the object being described, so the meaning could be easily deduced by a non-signer. Classifiers are common handshapes that are typically used to describe the size, shape or action of a particular object or event. For example, you might use a “C” handshape to describe the size of a water bottle. About 1,500 signs were originally created and based off of American Sign Language (“European Union,” 2012). Since its creation, it’s been used in a variety of international conferences, games, and other events.

Typically, spoken languages develop through evolving over the years across different communities. It has been shown through many studies that language is something that is produced naturally by humans. However, when analyzing the use of an international sign language, or Gestuno, we see that this is something that was developed and initiated by humans rather than coming about naturally. An international sign language was developed because deaf people had been travelling extensively to foreign places and attending conferences and international events (“International Sign,” 2012). The use of hundreds of different interpreters was simply not feasible, affordable, or reasonable (Jones, 2001). If you compare this situation to the spoken languages, using this international sign is sort of like using English. English is pretty much a “universal” language that many people use when at international events. In 1924, at the International Games for the Deaf in Paris, early accounts of the use of this international communication mode became visible (“International Sign,” 2012). In 1951, the idea of “unifying” the languages was being taken seriously at the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (Jones, 2001). Years later, during the 1970’s, Gestuno was created by the World Federation of the Deaf and they adopted a number of universal signs to make communication easier among those participating in the international events. Almost 1,500 signs were issued in a book (Jones, 2001). Unfortunately, acceptance of these signs has been disappointing to many, and most people are not willing to learn a new language. Aside from this, the concept of a universal sign language is still prevalent. Gestuno was created because “the need to communicate is universal”, and there absolutely is a need (Jones, 2001).

Esperanto was created with the same intentions as the creation of Gestuno: to make international communication easier. On July 26th, 1887, the first Esperanto textbook was published by L. L. Zamenhof (Waxman, 2016). This Polish doctor created the language, and it was meant to be a set of roots that could be turned into words with certain endings for different parts of speech (Waxman, 2016). Zamenhof invented Esperanto to bridge religious and ethnic gaps among Jews, Poles, and other ethnicities (Waxman, 2016). “Esperanto” means “one who hopes”, which makes sense because this was during a time of censorship against the Jews. Other advantages to using this language include effectiveness in areas such as trade, for example. Just like Gestuno, the appeal of Esperanto and its success in being widely spoken is unfortunately very disappointing. However, also similar to Gestuno, they both have ideals and visions that have been keeping their ideas somewhat alive today. To say these two languages are dead languages would be a stretch. The idea of them is attractive, but no one wants to learn a new language. With today’s technology, we have several different ways to communicate with different people and interpret other languages in a quick and easy manner. The intentions behind inventing Gestuno and Esperanto are good, but they’re not utilized as often as expected. Even at international conferences where International Sign is being used, these interpreters must be  skilled in their own language, ASL, and International Sign. Even still, International Sign interpretation is not standardized and often unreliable (“European Union,” 2012). More research must be conducted on Gestuno and International Sign to fully grasp the pros and cons of this type of communication.

References

American Sign Language: “parameters”. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2017, from http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/parameters.htm

European Union of the Deaf. (2012). International sign. Retrieved from  http://www.eud.eu/about-us/eud-position-paper/international-sign-guidelines/

Jones, T. R. (2001). International sign language: Gestuno. Retrieved from http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/gestuno.htm

Waxman, O. B. (2016). The serious history behind Esperanto. Retrieved from http://time.com/4417809/esperanto-history-invention/