Sign languages are rich, complex languages capable of expressing the same scope of thoughts, feelings, intentions and complexities as spoken languages. Today, there are more than 100 sign languages in the world. The language of the majority of North American culturally Deaf people is American Sign Language (ASL). ASL uses signs composed of specific movements and shapes of the hand and arms, eyes, face, head and body posture.

American Sign Language is the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. It is a visual language with its own grammatical rules and semantics. Many public schools and universities now offer classes in and recognize ASL as a modern “foreign” language.

There are people in this world who have command of three or four different languages. They weren’t born knowing them. They had to learn each one from scratch…taking baby steps along the way. Well, sign language is no different. Actually sign language learning source is also a good source of information.

Some of the letters are very intuitive, with the symbol for the letter looking exactly like the letter itself. For example, the letter L is made by extending the index finger of the right hand straight up with the thumb pointing to your left.

To you, it looks like a backwards L, but to the person you’re signing, it looks exactly like the letter L. The same thing with the letter V, which is actually made by giving the “Victory” sign that is used for any battle or war.

However, some of the letters are not so intuitive. For example, the letter B is made by extending all four fingers straight up in the air with the thumb brought into the palm.

I’m not sure how this looks anything like the letter B, but it’s the symbol that is used. Same thing with quite a few of the other letters…you just have to learn them.

But taking the time to learn American sign language is a great thing. You’ll be communicating with a world that you would normally not be a part of.

In my signature, you’ll find a review of a great resource for learning this wonderful language. I think you’ll find it most helpful.If you need more information on American Sign Language, then check out American sign language directory

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 3:58 am and is filed under Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.