Myth: Reality must be Word-Based

In all spoken languages, concepts - objects, ideas, events, feelings - are symbolized by words, each language having a set of words which makes up its vocabulary. The words directly represent the concepts and we use these words in an accepted linguistic system precisely to convey concepts. This is the principal function of language.

The concepts symbolized in a particular language depend on the needs of the users. What is important in one culture may not be important in another. For example, whether the snow covering the ground is wet or dry, powdery or packed is crucial information in the daily lives of the Eskimos. Their language reflects this: they have several different words for snow.

A difficulty thus arises when ASL is criticized for being "conceptual" rather than word-based." ASL is in this respect no different from spoken languages, since the principal function of language is to convey concepts. However, in a sign language, concepts are represented by signs rather than words, the signs of a sign language being the equivalents of words in a spoken langauge. The individual signs are made by combining simultaneously handshapes, movements of the hand(s), and their locations on or near the body. Words are made by combining certain vocal sounds in a particular way.

The assumption that signs should refer to words rather than concepts is based on a serious misconception regarding the nature of ASL. ASL is not a code for English. It is an independent language in which the signs directly represent the concepts. The signs of ASL are the equivalent of the words in English. In effect, the expectation that ASL should be word-based indicates a misunderstanding according to which spoken language is the only legitimate way to symbolize our conception of reality.

The word apple (whether in spoken or printed form) and the sign
(in American Sign Language) directly represent the fruit illustrated.

The letters "DM" which follow some of the illustrations in the text are an abbreviation for "double movement" and indicate that the movement shown by the arrow(s) is to be made twice.