American Sign Language
What is American Sign Language?
American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, complex language that employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions and postures of the body. It is the first language of many deaf North Americans, and one of several communication options available to deaf people.
American Sign Language is said to be the fourth most commonly used language in the United States.
Is sign language the same around the globe?
No one form of sign language is universal. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) differs notably from
American Sign Language. Different sign languages are used in different countries or regions.
Where did American Sign Language originate?
The exact beginnings of American Sign Language are not clear. Many people believe that
American Sign Language came mostly from French Sign Language (FSL). Others claim that the foundation for
American Sign Language existed before FSL was introduced in America in 1817. It was in that year that a French teacher named Laurent Clerc, brought to the United States by Thomas Gallaudet, founded the first school for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. Clerc began teaching FSL to Americans, though many of his students were already fluent in their own forms of local, natural sign language. Today's
American Sign Language likely contains some of this early American signing. Which language had more to do with the formation of modern
American Sign Language is difficult to prove. Modern American Sign Language and FSL share some elements, including a substantial amount of vocabulary. However, they are not mutually comprehensible.
How does American Sign Language compare with spoken language?
In spoken language, the different sounds created by words and tones of voice (intonation) are the most important devices used to communicate. Sign language is based on the idea that sight is the most useful tool a deaf person has to communicate and receive information. Thus,
American Sign Language uses hand shape, position, and movement; body movements; gestures; facial expressions; and other visual cues to form its words. Like any other language, fluency in
American Sign Language happens only after a long period of study and practice.
Even though American Sign Language is used in America, it is a language completely separate from English. It contains all the fundamental features a language needs to function on its own--it has its own rules for grammar, punctuation, and sentence order.
American Sign Language evolves as its users do, and it also allows for regional usage and jargon. Every language expresses its features differently;
American Sign Language is no exception. Whereas English speakers often signal a question by using a particular tone of voice,
American Sign Language users do so by raising the eyebrows and widening the eyes. Sometimes,
American Sign Language users may ask a question by tilting their bodies forward while signaling with their eyes and eyebrows.
Just as with other languages, specific ways of expressing ideas in American
Sign Language vary as much as American Sign Language users themselves do.
American Sign Language users may choose from synonyms to express common words.
American Sign Language also changes regionally, just as certain English words are spoken differently in different parts of the country. Ethnicity, age, and gender are a few more factors that affect
American Sign Language usage and contribute to its variety.
Next: Why does American Sign Language become a first language for many deaf people? »
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