A common misconception is that sign language is universal — that ASL works the same way everywhere Deaf people gather. In reality, sign languages vary significantly by country and region, and businesses hosting international events or working with a global Deaf community need to understand a related, but distinct, system: International Sign.
Sign Languages Are Not Universal
Just as spoken languages differ by country, so do sign languages. British Sign Language (BSL), for example, is entirely distinct from ASL, despite both countries speaking English. There are well over a hundred distinct sign languages used around the world, each with its own grammar, vocabulary, and regional variation — a point that connects back to our earlier post on the history of American Sign Language and how ASL developed its own independent path.
What Is International Sign?
International Sign (IS) is not a complete, independent language in the way ASL or BSL are. It’s more accurately described as a simplified, pidgin-like communication system — drawing on vocabulary and grammar elements from multiple sign languages, along with gesture, mime, and context — used by Deaf individuals from different countries to communicate with each other, particularly at international gatherings, conferences, and events like the Deaflympics or international Deaf community meetings.
Why This Matters for Event Planners
If your business is hosting an international conference, trade show, or multinational event with Deaf attendees from multiple countries, ASL interpreting alone may not be sufficient. Depending on the attendee mix, you may need:
- ASL interpreters for U.S.-based Deaf attendees
- International Sign interpreters for a mixed international audience without a shared national sign language
- Interpreters for specific national sign languages if a significant number of attendees share one
This is a more specialized planning consideration than a typical domestic event, and it’s worth raising with your interpreting agency well in advance — similar to the broader planning process we outlined in our post on ASL interpreting for conferences and large events.
Don’t Assume — Ask About Attendee Needs
If you’re planning an event with international Deaf attendees, the most reliable approach is directly surveying registrants about their language and interpreting needs during registration, rather than assuming ASL interpreting alone will suffice.
A Narrow but Important Distinction
Most businesses will never need International Sign interpreting — it’s a narrow, event-specific need. But for organizations hosting genuinely international gatherings, understanding the difference avoids a significant and avoidable accessibility gap.
Planning an international event in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or another city we serve, and need help thinking through interpreting needs? Reach out to our team — we’re happy to help you plan.