Embedded Files
North America
North America
American Sign Language (ASL) and Mexican Sign Language (LSM) are teh most prominent signed languages in North America. Additionally, Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) is used in French-speaking parts of Canada (particularly Quebec), and Maritime Sign Language is used in parts of Atlantic Canada.
Oceania
Oceania
Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) are the most prominent signed languages of Oceania. Hawaiʻi Sign Language is one of two surviving sign languages native to the US (the other being ASL). Indigenous Australian Sign Languages are used within various Indigenous communities that are separate from Auslan.
Europe
Europe
There is no single "European Sign Language" used universally; some countries even have multiple sign languages depending on regional variations. See the May 2021 Silent Herald Newsletter to see some of the most prominently used signed languages of the Kingdom of Drachenwald per SCA territory.
Asia
Asia
The West Kingdom includes: Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Pacific Rim. Like Europe, there is no single "Asian Sign Language" used universally. See the May 2021 Silent Herald Newsletter to see some of the most prominently used signed languages of the West Kingdom per SCA territory.
Why don't we sign in any of the medieval signed languages at events?
Why don't we sign in any of the medieval signed languages at events?
There are quite a few medieval hand communication methods from history. However, the goal of Sign Heraldry is to make our events accessible to a modern audience that enjoys pre-17th century style hobbies and craftsmanship. A volunteer Signer at court using the same communication methods as 12th century monks cannot properly transfer any spoken information to a modern-day signing audience that uses American Sign Language, whereas a volunteer Signer using ASL can express the spoken information properly to that same audience.
Helpful Links
Helpful Links
May 2021 Silent Herald Newsletter
Details not included in the newsletter:
Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) used within the East Kingdom in Canada
Regarding the three varieties of sign language used by English speaking members of the SCA:
American Sign Language and British Sign Language have branched into numerous signed languages in the world (see images of family tree of signed languages above), but New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and Australian Sign Language (Auslan) are used within the Kingdom of Lochac.
This is the official website of the Sign Herald of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Copyright © 2025 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. The copyright for some material is retained by its original contributors. Links to third-party websites do not represent an endorsement, and the SCA is not responsible for their content. This website and the data it collects are governed by the SCA.org Privacy Policy. To report website issues, contact the Sign Herald Webmaster.
Ceci est le site officiel du Sign Herald de la Society for Creative Anachronism. Copyright © 2025 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Les droits d'auteur de certains contenus appartiennent à leurs contributeurs originaux. Les liens vers des sites web tiers ne constituent pas une approbation, et la SCA n'est pas responsable de leur contenu. Ce site web et les données qu'il collecte sont régis par la politique de confidentialité de SCA.org. Pour signaler un problème concernant le site web, veuillez contacter le Webmaster du Sign Herald.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse