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Sign language (also referred to as gestural language) was a type of non-verbal communication where communication occurred through hand movement, instead of sound. As a language form, the use of gestures and hand signals pre-dated the spoken word in most cultures, the major exception being the Leyrons of Malkus IX who actually developed a written language first. In some cultures, sign language was accompanied with fingerspelling and speech on lip movement. (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper"; VOY: "Macrocosm")

Sign language was permitted on Betazed for the joining ceremony. When Victoria Miller and Lwaxana Troi were debating on who should officiate at Wyatt Miller and Deanna Troi's wedding in 2364, Lwaxana proposed that her valet Homn would do the officiating. Steven Miller argued that Homn couldn't speak to which Lwaxana responded, "He is quite adept in the act of sign language." (TNG: "Haven")

While on a mission in the Ramatis star system in 2365, Lieutenant Commander Data learned and stored five different forms of sign language in order to communicate with Riva, a deaf mediator from Ramatis III. Lieutenant Worf found the concept of sign language interesting, as its qualities of being both silent and covert could be useful in the field. (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper")

The Ventu indigenous to Ledos in the Delta Quadrant had no spoken language and communicated only through sign language. (VOY: "Natural Law")

According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia (3rd ed, p445), sign language predated the use of spoken language in all known cultures, the only known exception being the Leyrons of Malkus IX. This is a stronger statement then what was said in the episode, which talked about hand gestures rather then sign language, and merely called the Leyron's "the major exception".

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