ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the myth that signed languages are easier to learn than spoken languages. With a greater awareness of languages used by Deaf communities around the world, not to mention the availability of so many fascinating sign videos on social media, learning to sign has become very popular in some places. However, many students who enrol in a sign language class think that it will be extremely easy to learn because they have an idea that it is just gestures based on spoken words. That is not the case! The actual complexities of sign language can be a bit of a shock to students, especially as they move beyond beginner level. In this chapter the authors explore some of the unique features of sign language structure that make it a challenge to learn, based on their experience in sign language learning and teaching.
