ABSTRACT
Every linguistic community has its own set of practices; some may be shared among several communities, and others may be unique to one particular community. Culture also influences how a language is practiced in a particular context with people at a given time. Certain linguistic patterns appear to be used and structured differently in sign and spoken languages due to the different communication modalities. However, linguistic theories alone cannot account for variation that exists within languages. Sign language communities can be subjected to similar institutional and social conditions as those that influence language practices of the spoken-language communities. Geographic isolation consists of natural barriers that physically separate language communities from one another and reduce the chance of language contact between communities. Variation is not limited to lexical and phonological variation; it can include morphology, syntax, discourse, and style. People are aware of linguistic differences between language varieties, but how they perceive the differences depends on their social bias.
