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Interpret: forms of communication and sign language

Short answer

Sign language uses motions to represent words and ideas, especially for those who cannot speak or share a language. Whole-word signs can be understood internationally because they are graphic, but finger-spelling is limited to a particular alphabet.

Read the following text carefully and interpret it so as to make the meaning clear. Ever since humans have inhabited the earth, they have made use of various forms of communication. Generally, this expression of thoughts and feelings has been in the form of oral speech. When there is a language barrier, communication is accomplished through sign language in which motions stand for letters, words, and ideas. Tourists, the deaf, and the mute have had to resort to this form of expression. Many of these symbols of whole words are very picturesque and exact and can be used internationally; spelling, however, cannot.

The passage explains that people have always communicated in many ways. Speech is the main form, but when people do not share a language, sign language is used.

Explanation

  • Oral speech. Since the beginning of human life people have expressed thoughts and feelings mostly through spoken words.
  • Sign language. Where a language barrier exists, communication is carried out through signs, in which hand and body movements stand for letters, whole words or ideas.
  • Who uses it. Tourists in a foreign country, the deaf (who cannot hear) and the mute (who cannot speak) have had to depend on this form of expression.
  • Strength and limit. Many signs for whole words are "picturesque and exact", meaning they look like what they represent and express it clearly, so people of different countries can understand them. Signs for letters (finger-spelling), however, depend on the alphabet of a particular language, so spelling cannot be used internationally.

Message

Sign language is a useful substitute for speech and works across language boundaries when it uses word-signs, but it is limited when it relies on spelling.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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