Sign Language Diversity and its Impact on Global Communication: Towards a Unified Framework

Sign language is a visually expressive language conveyed through hand gestures and other visual expressions rather than spoken words. Primarily used by individuals with auditory impairments, it is also practiced by many hearing individuals to bridge the gap between the hearing-impaired and hard-of-hearing communities, fostering inclusivity in society. Currently, there are more than 300 different types of sign languages in use, practiced by over 72 million people worldwide. These languages lack a standardized framework, leading to communication, education, and professional integration challenges. This study aims to provide an extensive review of linguistic diversity in sign languages and their impact on communication. It also proposes AI-driven solutions to address these challenges, enabling policymakers, stakeholders, and educators to create an inclusive global community by working toward standardizing sign languages.