In
sign language
Sign languages (also known as signed languages) are languages that use the visual-manual modality to convey meaning, instead of spoken words. Sign languages are expressed through manual articulation in combination with #Non-manual elements, no ...
s, expressions are the distinctive body postures and facial expressions that accompany signing, and which are necessary to properly form words. Expression is one of five components of a sign, along with
handshape (),
orientation (),
location (), and
movement (). A major component of expression is
mouthing. However, not all signs have an inherent expression.
References
Sign language
{{sign-lang-stub