| There are just over half a million deaf people in | | | | adding new signs as they are needed. Just like any |
| America, almost all of which speak ASL. There are a | | | | other language the way people use sign language can |
| great number of friends and family of these people | | | | be totally different. The dialect and speed of the |
| who also speak it and this language is fast becoming | | | | signing differs between cultures and regions, for |
| the third spoken language in the US. This language | | | | example people from the south sign slower. |
| was developed by deaf people to make their lives | | | | They most important factors of sign language are |
| easier and more normal. | | | | gestures and expressions, these are both used often. |
| ASL is a complicated, unique, versatile and very | | | | Gestures are the way a deaf person uses their hands |
| effective language to use. It combines French Signing | | | | to say a word, there are many words that are similar |
| and Native ASL to give it a unique twist on the normal | | | | but using one hand rather than two will mean |
| signing people use. The French have their own sign | | | | something different. Not all gestures have a word and |
| language which has been passed down from | | | | not all words have a gesture. Pointing is used often |
| generation to generation and is the oldest form there | | | | and can mean several different things in ASL; you can |
| is. | | | | learn this language in a short space of time which is |
| How it arrived in the US is still unknown but many say | | | | why many people begin to learn it. The easiest way to |
| it appeared in 1815 when a minister went to Europe to | | | | learn sign language is to do a course, and interact with |
| investigate sign language. Although he travelled to | | | | people who are using it. |
| England they were unwilling to teach him their methods | | | | Learning sign language even if you aren't deaf can be |
| so he travelled on to Paris. Here they taught him | | | | a great help in today's society, it will give you a better |
| everything they knew regarding their methods of sign | | | | understanding of the deaf culture. As it is spoken so |
| language. He then returned to America and opened a | | | | often these days any future employees may |
| school for deaf people to learn sign language, he | | | | welcome someone who can communicate with all of |
| taught them French sign language and they soon | | | | the team. You will be able to speak not only with your |
| added their own signs as well. | | | | voice but your hands as well, making you a very |
| ASL continues to grow and is used by many people; | | | | helpful person to have around. Whatever your reason |
| the language is ever changing to keep up with the | | | | for learning this new language it will be useful to have; it |
| world we live in. There are now sign's for internet and | | | | could open up a new career path or simply enable you |
| blogging and the language needs to be kept fresh by | | | | to understand people around you. |