Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lengua de signos | /lenɡwa de siɡnos/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| lengua de señas | /lenɡwa de seɲas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| idioma de señas | /idjoma de seɲas/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| idioma de signos | /idjoma de siɡnos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| idioma signado | /idjoma siɡnado/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| lengua signada | /lenɡwa siɡnada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
In linguistic contexts, the word lengua is preferred over idioma to emphasize that sign languages are full, natural languages.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lengua de signos literally translates to 'language of signs'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase lengua de signos is the standard term used in Spain, whereas lengua de señas is the standard term used in most of Latin America. Other forms like idioma de señas, idioma de signos, idioma signado and lengua signada are also present in the language.
Is it said differently in some regions?
lengua de signos is the standard term in Spain, and lengua de señas is the standard term in most of Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun lengua is feminine, so it must be preceded by the feminine article la when referring to the sign language (e.g., la lengua de signos).
How do you pronounce it?
/lenɡwa de siɡnos/
Did you know?
- The word idioma comes from the Greek word for 'peculiarity' or 'property', which is why it can sometimes feel less precise than lengua when discussing the structural complexity of sign languages.
- The word seña used in Latin American sign language also means 'a sign' or 'a mark' in a general sense, such as a landmark used to give directions.
Examples in context
- Los sordomudos hablan usando la lengua de signos.Deaf-mute people talk using sign language.This sentence shows how people talk using lengua de signos.Tatoeba #1940304 by teskmon, translation #326477 by JimBreen
- La gente sordomuda puede comunicarse mediante la lengua de signos.Deaf-mute people can use sign language to communicate.This sentence illustrates how people communicate through lengua de signos.Tatoeba #1238479 by wallebot, translation #1230235 by CK
- El Dr. Patterson se comunicó con un gorila usando la lengua de signos.Dr. Patterson communicated with a gorilla using sign language.This sentence describes communicating with a gorilla using lengua de signos.Tatoeba #1672442 by teskmon, translation #35208 by CN
- El estudio de la lengua de señas es fascinante.The study of sign language is fascinating.
- Mi hermano quiere aprender lengua de signos.My brother wants to learn sign language.
- Estoy aprendiendo lengua de signosI am learning sign language
- Quiero aprender lengua de signosI want to learn sign language
- Necesitamos contratar un intérprete de lengua de signosWe need to hire a sign language interpreter
- El evento contará con intérprete de lengua de signosThe event will have a sign language interpreter
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about a class at the university.
- LucíaJavier, ¿quieres aprender la lengua de signos?Javier, do you want to learn sign language?
- JavierMe gustaría mucho, Lucía.I would really like that, Lucía.
- LucíaHay un curso de la lengua de signos mañana.There is a sign language course tomorrow.
- JavierPerfecto, iré contigo.Perfect, I will go with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sign language” translations and entries lengua de signos, lengua de señas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, idioma, lengua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
