How many types of sign languages are there? Is American Sign Language universal?

Answer 1

American Sign Language is one of many sign languages that can be found around the world. Though ASL is used predominately in the USA and English speaking parts of Canada as well as some other countries which ASL was introduced many years ago, much like spoken language, there is no universal signed language. While some signed languages may be similar due to being derived from a parent sign language or adopted as their own language, each country and area has their own unique sign language. I believe there are an estimated 200 signed languages in existence today.

Answer 2

There are over 300 different sign languages around the world. Some are similar, being derived from an original sign language, such as French Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language (Spain), but many are as different as their spoken counterparts is different from English.