1. Geographical and Cultural Influences:
* Regional Dialects: Just like spoken languages, sign languages develop distinct regional dialects due to isolation, migration patterns, and local influences. This is similar to how different accents arise in spoken languages.
* Cultural Differences: Sign language is deeply ingrained in the culture of Deaf communities. Different communities may have different sign systems, influenced by their specific needs, traditions, and ways of life.
2. Linguistic Evolution:
* Natural Language Change: All languages, spoken or signed, are constantly evolving. Over time, signs can change in form, meaning, or usage, influenced by factors like contact with other sign languages or the emergence of new concepts.
* Innovation and Adaptation: Sign languages are dynamic systems that adapt to new situations and technologies. New signs are constantly created to represent new concepts, objects, and events.
3. Historical Events:
* Migration and Isolation: The separation of Deaf communities across different geographical locations can lead to the development of distinct sign languages.
* Educational Policies: The influence of oralism (emphasizing spoken language) and the historical separation of Deaf schools can lead to variations in sign language usage and transmission.
4. Deaf Community Structures:
* Internal Variation: Within a single Deaf community, there may be different subgroups with distinct sign language variations, influenced by factors like age, education, or social networks.
* Social and Political Factors: The influence of deaf activism, social movements, and political organizations can also contribute to variations in sign language, as they may promote the standardization or diversification of sign languages.
5. Sign Language Families:
* Shared Origins: Sign languages are often grouped into families, indicating a common ancestral language. While sharing certain features, sign languages within a family still exhibit variations.
* Borrowing and Convergence: Sign languages can influence each other through contact and borrowing. This can lead to the convergence of features and the development of new variations.
In conclusion, the variation in sign language is a testament to its adaptability and dynamism as a living language. It reflects the diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of the Deaf communities that use it. Understanding the factors that contribute to variation is crucial for appreciating the richness and complexity of sign languages around the world.