Signed Languages of the SCA's "Known World"

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 available to a modern audience that enjoys pre-17th century style hobbies and craftsmanship. Using signs today that were used by 12th century monks wouldn't allow for proper communication to a modern-day audience!

Signed Languages in the Known World: from the May 2021 Silent Herald Newsletter:

Online Sign Language Dictionaries of the World

SpreadtheSign

There are three varieties of sign language used by English speaking members of the SCA:

1. American Sign Language (ASL)

2. British Sign Language (BSL)

3. Australian (and New Zealand) Sign Language (Auslan)

For those non-English speaking members in the SCA, there are many other varieties of sign language:

[Not included in the above link is East Kingdom, Canada, Quebec Sign Language (LSQ)]

• West Kingdom

  • Japan

    • Japanese Sign Language/Nihon Shuwa (JSL)

  • Korea

    • Korean Sign Language (suhwa (KSL)

  • Thailand

    • Thai Sign Language (TSL)

  • Pacific Rim

    • Fiji

      • Fiji Sign Language (FJSL)

    • Mariana Islands

      • American Sign Language (ASL)

    • Micronesia

      • American Sign Language (ASL)

    • Guam

      • Guam Sign Language (strongly influenced by ASL)

    • Republic of Palau

      • American Sign Language (ASL)

    • Republic of the Marshall Islands

      • American Sign Language (ASL)

• Drachenwald

  • Aarnimetsä  (Finland)

    • Finnish Sign Language (derived from Swedish Sign Language

  • Central

    • Austria

      • Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS)

    • Belgium

      • Flemish Sign Language - Dutch Variant (VGT)

      • Flemish Sign Language - French Variant (LSFB)

    • Denmark

      • Danish Sign Language (DTS)

    • France

      • French Sign Language (LSF)

    • Netherlands

      • Dutch Sign Language (NGT)

    • Poland

      • Polish Sign Language (PJM)

    • Romania

      • Romanian Sign Language (LSR)

    • Russian Federation

      • Russian Sign Language (RSL)

    • Switzerland

      • Swiss German Sign Language (DSGS)

      • French Sign Language (LSF)

      • Italian Sign Language (LIS)

  • Insulae Draconis

    • United Kingdom

      • British Sign Language (BSL)

    • Ireland

      • Irish Sign Language (ISL)

    • Iceland

      • Iceland Sign Language (ITM)

        • Based on Danish Sign Language (DTS)

  • Knights Crossing

    • Germany

      • German Sign Language (DGS)

  • Nordmark

    • Sweden

      • Swedish Sign Language (SSL)

  • Southern

    • Bulgaria

      • Bulgarian Sign Language

    • Italy

      • Italian Sign Language (LIS)

    • South Africa

      • South African Sign Language (SASL)

    • Israel

      • Israeli Sign Language (ISL)