20 years ago, words like Google didn’t exist. How are new words added to sign language and how does everyone who uses sign language get told of the new words/signs?
In: Culture
A lot of words in sign language are spelt out. Burrito is my go to example. That’s the case for new words I’d say.
[Same as with any language](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-new-words-enter-vernacular-asl-180954419/). Someone creates a new sign, shares that in casual conversation, explains what they’re signing, and that word is fine tuned through mass use … or it doesn’t catch on and dies.
I only have a couple semesters of ASL and it was years ago, but I remember it didn’t take long for the more adept students in class to start making up signs either based on fingerspelling or some easily recognizable associated gesture.
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