What does sign language look like?

I am not an expert in this, but when I studied Chinese one of my teachers (a native Chinese speaker, and a hearing person) found out that I had studied sign language, and proudly signed to me the only phrase she knew, which was "dui bu qi" ("sorry"), before realizing (from my uncomprehending stare) that Chinese sign language must be different from American sign language. That was my only exposure to Chinese signing, but I can tell you this: each character/syllable/morpheme had its own sign (DUI, BU, QI). Whether that is always the case or not, I don't know. I also don't know whether there is a continuum in Chinese signing analagous to the differences between "true ASL" and "signed English", and if so, where on that continuum the "DUI BU QI" that I saw would fit. So, necessary disclaimers in place, I figured my small answer would be better than no answer at all (which is what your question previously had). [[User:65.185.58.70|65.185.58.70]] 22:53, 20 Dec 2008 (UTC)