Sign language relies on the same area of the brain as verbal speech, new study reveals

Speaking verbally and performing sign language require the same parts of the brain, according to a new study. Researchers at New York University found that the neural skills needed to perform sign language are the similar to those required for speaking out loud. Their report is the first of its kind to prove the association between the two communication forms. Sign language communicators and verbal English speakers rely on the same neural skills, a new report says. The new research was published in the journal Scientific Reports.