The Beauty Of Sign Language

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Lately, sign language has been something I can’t stop thinking about. It has caught my eye to try to communicate with people without using words.

I have been watching a show called "Switched at Birth" on channel 49, ABC Family. It’s about two girls who were accidentally switched at birth, but what really caught my attention was one of the girls who was switched. Her name in the show is Daphne, and she’s deaf. She’s able to speak, but with her best friend Emmet she signs.

I've been really interested in finding out how people sign and how they can communicate with us without speaking. I find it so cool how they have their own history and their own language. My friend is deaf, and it’s so cool how he can talk to me without speaking. He talks and stuff, but he prefers to sign. He has tried to teach me. It’s harder then it looks. I wanted to learn their history, and their language. I find this important because wouldn’t it be cool to talk to someone without people hearing you or knowing what you are saying?

My boyfriend and I were at Lake Compounce and we were waiting to get on a roller coaster and these two dudes were doing sign language. I know a few things, but not enough to have a conversation.

I wanted to know where sign language originated from. I went to Wikipedia and found "History of Sign Language." It sort of explains the basic details from where it came from and how long signing has been around. Sign language is composed of gestures, mimic, hand signs and finger spelling. I found it interesting how deaf people can communicate without using words. Basically like playing charades. Sign language was used mainly for deaf and mute people to communicate. I know some deaf people speak orally. How is it for them to read lips?

Sign language has existed since deaf people have been around. The written history of sign language began in the the 17th century. Charles- Michel de I’Epee published his alphabet in the 18th century. And hasn’t been changed until present time.

I don’t get why signs need to be changed.

Standardized sign language have been used in Spain since the 17th century and in France since the 18th century. My ancestors are from Spain. It would be cool if they knew how to sign.

I went on Wikipedia a second time and I read "American Sign Language." This article is pretty much reports on the same history. Sign language is also known as Ameslan or ASL (American Sign Language). American sign language is related to French sign language. It’s cool how two different places share sign language but don’t share the same spoken language. ASL is difficult because unlike many spoken languages, ASL use is not associated with a specific geographic location or region.

Sign language is the fourth- fifth most spoken language in the United States. I honestly did not think that many people were deaf or spoke sign language. Deaf, hearing, or speech impaired people use sign language as a second language.

Finger spelling is the main form of communication known as the Rochester Method. This focuses on oral language and speech, spelling spoken words.

I really think sign language is beautiful. I love how they have their own history and their own language.

References:

History of sign language. (2011, October 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:54, February 8, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_sign_language&oldid...

American Sign Language. (2012, February 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:14, February 15, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Sign_Language&oldid=4...