THE LINGUISTIC POTENTIAL OF KAZAKH SIGN LANGUAGE AND THE DACTYL ALPHABET

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This article examines the linguistic and social characteristics of Kazakh Sign Language and the dactyl alphabet. The aim of the study is to provide a scholarly description of the nature of sign language, its distinction from kinetic language, and the role of the dactyl alphabet within the communication system. The article analyzes sign language as a visual–spatial linguistic system and demonstrates that it represents a fully developed language with its own grammatical structure, lexical resources, and syntactic features. In addition, the differences between sign language and kinetic language are presented from a comparative perspective, and their functional characteristics are identified. The study also describes the role of the dactyl alphabet in sign language, particularly its function as an orthographic tool that represents the letter system of spoken language through hand movements. Furthermore, the article reviews international practices of sign language use, the processes of its legal recognition in different countries, and its significance within inclusive education systems. Special attention is given to the analysis of the use of sign language and the dactyl alphabet by people with hearing and speech impairments in Kazakhstan. The findings of the study highlight the necessity of further scholarly research on Kazakh Sign Language as a national linguistic system, the improvement of the dactyl alphabet in accordance with the phonetic and cultural characteristics of the Kazakh language, and the expansion of its application in education and public communication.