There are two very common misconceptions, which are directly in conflict: - "sign language" is universal - signed languages directly correspond with the spoke

There are two very common misconceptions, which are directly in conflict: - "sign language" is universal - signed languages directly correspond with the spoken language Neither is true. the signed language in the United States and the signed language in the UK are not mutually intelligible. That said, I am pretty comfortable in claiming that two fluent signers of very different signed languages will have a much easier time bridging a communication gap than the corresponding non-signers in the respective communities, especially since Deaf signers who grow up in a hearing world usually develop many skills around gesturing and bridging communication gaps. Language and culture are very intertwined (stories, jokes, puns, ...) I am grateful there are many languages in the same way I am grateful for many cultures.