Sign vs. Sing — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Sign involves using gestures or symbols to communicate, while sing entails producing musical sounds with the voice. Both require skill but serve different expressive purposes.
Difference Between Sign and Sing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sign language is a method of communication that employs gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning, primarily used by the deaf and hard of hearing community. On the other hand, singing is an art form where the voice is used to produce musical sounds, often accompanied by lyrics, and can be enjoyed by people of all hearing abilities.
Sign language has its own grammar and syntax, which can vary significantly from that of spoken language, allowing for a rich, complex form of expression without the use of sound. Whereas singing relies heavily on the control of pitch, rhythm, and vocal tone to express emotions and stories, often within the structure of a particular musical genre.
The skill of signing involves the precise use of handshapes, movements, and facial expressions to convey specific meanings, requiring both spatial and kinesthetic intelligence. Singing, in contrast, demands mastery over breath control, vocal range, and the ability to maintain pitch, highlighting a different set of physical and cognitive skills.
Sign languages, like American Sign Language (ASL), are fully developed languages with their own unique rules and are recognized as such by linguists. Singing, however, is considered a form of musical expression and is not classified as a language, though it can be used to articulate language through song.
While sign language interpreters are often required to translate spoken language into sign language for accessibility reasons, singers and musicians translate emotions and stories into a sonic experience, demonstrating the diverse ways in which humans communicate and express themselves.
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Comparison Chart
Medium of Expression
Gestures, facial expressions, body language
Vocal sounds, lyrics
Purpose
Communication, especially for the deaf and hard of hearing
Musical expression, entertainment
Skill Required
Precision in handshapes, movements, and facial expressions
Control of pitch, rhythm, and vocal tone
Classification
Language
Art form, not a language
Cognitive Demands
Spatial and kinesthetic intelligence
Breath control, vocal range, pitch maintenance
Compare with Definitions
Sign
A gesture used to convey information or instructions.
The diver gave a sign to ascend.
Sing
To emit a sound that is melodious or harmonious.
The wind sang through the trees.
Sign
A posted notice giving information or instructions.
The sign at the park entrance lists the rules.
Sing
To produce musical sounds with the voice.
She loves to sing in the shower.
Sign
To communicate using gestures or symbols.
She learned to sign so she could communicate with her deaf brother.
Sing
To celebrate or tell in song.
The poet sings of ancient heroes.
Sign
An indication or evidence of something.
Dark clouds are a sign of rain.
Sing
To perform a song vocally.
He will sing the national anthem at the game.
Sign
To write one's name on a document.
Please sign at the bottom of the form.
Sing
To make musical sounds resembling singing.
The birds sing at dawn.
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
She gave him the thumbs-up sign
Sing
Make a high-pitched whistling or buzzing sound
The kettle was beginning to sing
Sign
A sign is an object, quality, event, or entity whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. A natural sign bears a causal relation to its object—for instance, thunder is a sign of storm, or medical symptoms a sign of disease.
Sing
Make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune
Bella sang to the baby
Sign
An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else
The shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst
Flowers are often given as a sign of affection
Sing
Act as an informer to the police
As soon as he got put under pressure, he sang like a canary
Sign
A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign
Sing
Recount or celebrate in poetry or other literature
Poetry should sing the variety of the human race
These poets sing of the American experience
Sign
Each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic
A person born under the sign of Virgo
A sign of the Zodiac
Sing
An act or spell of singing
We asked him to come back and have a bit of a sing
A sponsored sing to pay for the theatre
Sign
The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
The last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
Sing
To utter a series of words or sounds in musical tones.
Sign
Write one's name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender
The card was signed by the whole class
Sing
To vocalize songs or selections.
Sign
Use gestures to convey information or instructions
She signed to her husband to leave the room
Sing
To perform songs or selections as a trained or professional singer.
Sign
Indicate with signposts or other markers
The footpath is signed by the gate
Sing
To produce sounds when played
Made the violin sing.
Sign
Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
He signed himself with the cross
Sing
To make melodious sounds
Birds singing outside the window.
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Sing
To give or have the effect of melody; lilt.
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Sing
To make a high whining, humming, or whistling sound.
Sign
Sign language.
Sing
To be filled with a buzzing or ringing sound.
Sign
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business
A motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
Sing
To proclaim or extol something in verse.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Sing
To write poetry.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Sing
(Slang) To give information or evidence against someone.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Sing
To produce the musical sound of
Sang a love song.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Sing
To utter with musical inflections
She sang the message.
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Sing
To bring to a specified state by singing
Sang the baby to sleep.
Sign
(Medicine) An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
Sing
To intone or chant (parts of the Mass, for example).
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Sing
To proclaim or extol, especially in verse
Sang his praises.
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Sing
A gathering of people for group singing.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Sing
(intransitive) To produce musical or harmonious sounds with one’s voice.
"I really want to sing in the school choir," said Vera.
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Sing
(intransitive) To perform a vocal part in a musical composition, regardless of technique.
Sign
To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract
Signed a rookie pitcher for next season.
Sign up actors for a tour.
Sing
(transitive) To express audibly by means of a harmonious vocalization.
Sing a lullaby
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Sing
(transitive) To soothe with singing.
To sing somebody to sleep
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Sing
(ambitransitive) Of birds, to vocalise:
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Sing
(ornithology) To produce a 'song', for the purposes of defending a breeding territory or to attract a mate.
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Sing
(literary) To produce any type of melodious vocalisation.
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Sing
To confess under interrogation.
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Sing
(intransitive) To make a small, shrill sound.
The air sings in passing through a crevice.
A singing kettle
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Sing
To relate in verse; to celebrate in poetry.
Sign
To write one's signature.
Sing
(intransitive) To display fine qualities; to stand out as excellent.
The sauce really makes this lamb sing.
Sign
A perceptible (e.g. visible) indication.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
Sing
(ergative) To be capable of being sung; to produce a certain effect by being sung.
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
Sing
(AU) In traditional Aboriginal culture, to direct a supernatural influence on (a person or thing), usually malign; to curse.
Sign
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.
I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
Sing
The act, or event, of singing songs.
I sometimes have a quick sing in the shower.
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Sing
To utter sounds with musical inflections or melodious modulations of voice, as fancy may dictate, or according to the notes of a song or tune, or of a given part (as alto, tenor, etc.) in a chorus or concerted piece.
The noise of them that sing do I hear.
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Sing
To utter sweet melodious sounds, as birds do.
On every bough the briddes heard I sing.
Singing birds, in silver cages hung.
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
Sing
To make a small, shrill sound; as, the air sings in passing through a crevice.
O'er his head the flying spearSang innocent, and spent its force in air.
Sign
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
Sing
To tell or relate something in numbers or verse; to celebrate something in poetry.
Bid her . . . singOf human hope by cross event destroyed.
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
Sing
To cry out; to complain.
They should sing if thet they were bent.
Sign
A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. sign (semiotics)]].
Sing
To utter with musical inflections or modulations of voice.
And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.
And in the darkness sing your carol of high praise.
Sign
An omen.
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
Sing
To celebrate in song; to give praises to in verse; to relate or rehearse in numbers, verse, or poetry.
Arms and the man I sing.
The last, the happiest British king,Whom thou shalt paint or I shall sing.
Sign
(medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.
Sing
To influence by singing; to lull by singing; as, to sing a child to sleep.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Sing
To accompany, or attend on, with singing.
I heard them singing home the bride.
Sign
To make a mark
Sing
Deliver by singing;
Sing Christmas carols
Sign
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
Sing
Produce tones with the voice;
She was singing while she was cooking
My brother sings very well
Sign
(transitive) To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
Sing
To make melodious sounds;
The nightingale was singing
Sign
(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
Sing
Make a whining, ringing, or whistling sound;
The kettle was singing
The bullet sang past his ear
Sign
(transitive) More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
Sing
Divulge confidential information or secrets;
Be careful--his secretary talks
Sign
To write (one's name) as a signature.
Just sign your name at the bottom there.
I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
Sign
(intransitive) To write one's signature.
Please sign on the dotted line.
Sign
(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
Sign
(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
Sign
To make the sign of the cross
Sign
(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
Sign
(reflexive) To cross oneself.
Sign
To indicate
Sign
(intransitive) To communicate using a gesture or signal.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate using gestures to (someone).
He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
Sign
(intransitive) To use sign language.
Sign
(transitive) To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
Sign
To determine the sign of
Sign
(transitive) To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.
Sign
That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof.
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Sign
Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument.
What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.
Sign
Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture.
The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative; but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves.
Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory.
Sign
A word or a character regarded as the outward manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of ideas.
They made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Sign
Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language of a signs such as those used by the North American Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard.
The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets.
Sign
The twelfth part of the ecliptic or zodiac.
Sign
A character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign + (plus); the sign - (minus); the sign of division ÷, and the like.
Sign
Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc.
An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
Sign
To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify.
I signed to Browne to make his retreat.
Sign
To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign.
We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.
Sign
To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,And let him sign it.
Sign
To assign or convey formally; - used with away.
Sign
To mark; to make distinguishable.
Sign
To be a sign or omen.
Sign
To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs.
Sign
To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation.
Sign
A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);
He showed signs of strain
They welcomed the signs of spring
Sign
A public display of a (usually written) message;
He posted signs in all the shop windows
Sign
Any communication that encodes a message;
Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
Sign
Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;
The highway was lined with signboards
Sign
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
Sign
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease;
There were no signs of asphixiation
Sign
Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);
He got the polarity of the battery reversed
Charges of opposite sign
Sign
An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;
He hoped it was an augury
It was a sign from God
Sign
A gesture that is part of a sign language
Sign
A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified;
The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary
Sign
A character indicating a relation between quantities;
Don't forget the minus sign
Sign
Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);
She signed the letter and sent it off
Please sign here
Sign
Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
All parties ratified the peace treaty
Have you signed your contract yet?
Sign
Be engaged by a written agreement;
He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
The soprano signed to sing the new opera
Sign
Engage by written agreement;
They signed two new pitchers for the next season
Sign
Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
Sign
Place signs, as along a road;
Sign an intersection
This road has been signed
Sign
Communicate in sign language;
I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
Sign
Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
Sign
Used of the language of the deaf
Common Curiosities
What is the main purpose of sign language?
To facilitate communication, especially among the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Is it necessary to have musical talent to sing?
While natural talent can help, singing skills can also be developed through practice and training.
Are there different types of sign language?
Yes, there are many types of sign language, such as American Sign Language (ASL), each with its own grammar and syntax.
Can singing be considered a language?
While singing uses language to convey lyrics, it is primarily an art form and not a language itself.
Can sign language convey complex ideas?
Absolutely, sign language is a fully developed language capable of expressing complex and abstract ideas.
Is sign language universal?
No, sign language varies by country and culture, similar to spoken languages.
Are there competitions for sign language or singing?
While there are many singing competitions globally, competitions or showcases for sign language are more focused on interpretation and performance rather than competition.
How does one learn to sign?
Learning to sign typically involves taking classes, practicing with others, and immersing oneself in sign language communities.
How do sign language interpreters work?
They translate spoken language into sign language and vice versa, facilitating communication between deaf and hearing individuals.
Can sign language be used in music?
Yes, sign language can be used to interpret music and songs for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
What are the benefits of singing?
Singing has emotional, cognitive, and social benefits, including stress relief and community building.
How do cultural differences affect sign language and singing?
Cultural differences can lead to variations in sign languages worldwide and influence singing styles and genres.
Can anyone learn to sing?
Yes, with practice and proper vocal training, most people can improve their singing abilities.
What's the difference between sign language and body language?
Sign language is a structured form of communication using gestures, whereas body language is often subconscious and used to convey emotions or reactions.
Is it possible to sign and sing at the same time?
It is possible, though it requires a high level of skill in both signing and singing to synchronize the two effectively.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
