lengua de señas americana
/lenɡwa de seɲas ameɾikana/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'asl' is translated into Spanish as lengua de señas americana.
This phrase refers specifically to American Sign Language, the primary sign language used by Deaf people in the United States and most of Canada.
Which one should you use?
While lengua de señas americana refers specifically to American Sign Language, the more general term lengua de señas is used to refer to sign language in general.
How do you pronounce it?
/lenɡwa de seɲas ameɾikana/
Did you know?
- While a student might use lengua de señas americana to be precise, in many Spanish-speaking countries, Deaf communities use their own distinct national sign languages, such as lengua de señas mexicana, which are not mutually intelligible with ASL.
- The word señas comes from the verb señalar, which means 'to point'. This highlights the fundamental nature of sign language as a system of visual pointing and gesturing.
- The word lengua in this phrase refers to a physical organ, but it is also the standard word used for 'language' in Spanish. This creates a linguistic connection between the physical tongue and the spoken or signed word.
Examples in context
- Me interesa aprender Lengua de Señas Americana para poder comunicarme con personas sordas.I am interested in learning American Sign Language to be able to communicate with deaf individuals.
- Él usa la lengua de señas americana.He uses American Sign Language.
- Estoy aprendiendo la lengua de señas americana.I am learning American Sign Language.
- La lengua de señas americana es muy importante.American Sign Language is very important.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a course at a local community college.
- Javier¿Tú hablas la lengua de señas americana?Do you speak American Sign Language?
- LucíaNo, pero quiero aprenderla pronto.No, but I want to learn it soon.
- JavierEs una lengua muy hermosa, Lucía.It is a very beautiful language, Lucía.
- LucíaSí, me parece muy interesante.Yes, I find it very interesting.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
