People who are profoundly deaf can communicate by talking with their hands. You only need your eyesight to know what is being "said". American Sign Language (ASL) is the language of the Deaf in America. Just like in the spoken word, different countries and regions of the world have a different sign language.
ASL or American Sign Language utilizes the use of hands to communicate words. It is the fourth most used language in America and is utilized by the Deaf to communicate with others.
No one knows exactly how ASL was developed, but it is documented that a French man named Laurent Clerc opened the very first school for the Deaf in the United States. This would explain why ASL and FSL are similar, but knowing one does not necessarily mean you will know the other.
Eye sight is the most important tool a deaf person has in order to communicate with others. By using the hands to make shapes as well as using facial expressions and body language, a hearing impaired person can communicate and connect with others. It takes dedicated study to become fluent in sign language.
American Sign Language is different from the English language. It has grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, how it is used in different regions as well as common colloquialisms. Each region has different expressions for sign language. Just as we express tone in speech to convey an emotion, deaf people utilize body language and facial expressions to do the same.
Why do deaf people choose sign language first?
Parents or caretakers are always a child's first introduction to language. A deaf child who is born to parents who are deaf uses sign language early because that is the language spoken in the home, but language is learned differently by the deaf child whose parents are not hearing impaired. Hearing parents who learn sign language often learn it along with their child who is deaf.
The first six months of life are the most important to a child's development of language skills. All newborns should be screened for hearing loss before they go home. Early diagnosis of hearing loss gives parents a chance to research communication options. Parents are able to start the language development process during this time.
Age is an important issue in learning ASL. The earlier sign language is taught, particularly before starting school, the better the outcome for communicating competently with others.
ASL or American Sign Language utilizes the use of hands to communicate words. It is the fourth most used language in America and is utilized by the Deaf to communicate with others.
No one knows exactly how ASL was developed, but it is documented that a French man named Laurent Clerc opened the very first school for the Deaf in the United States. This would explain why ASL and FSL are similar, but knowing one does not necessarily mean you will know the other.
Eye sight is the most important tool a deaf person has in order to communicate with others. By using the hands to make shapes as well as using facial expressions and body language, a hearing impaired person can communicate and connect with others. It takes dedicated study to become fluent in sign language.
American Sign Language is different from the English language. It has grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, how it is used in different regions as well as common colloquialisms. Each region has different expressions for sign language. Just as we express tone in speech to convey an emotion, deaf people utilize body language and facial expressions to do the same.
Why do deaf people choose sign language first?
Parents or caretakers are always a child's first introduction to language. A deaf child who is born to parents who are deaf uses sign language early because that is the language spoken in the home, but language is learned differently by the deaf child whose parents are not hearing impaired. Hearing parents who learn sign language often learn it along with their child who is deaf.
The first six months of life are the most important to a child's development of language skills. All newborns should be screened for hearing loss before they go home. Early diagnosis of hearing loss gives parents a chance to research communication options. Parents are able to start the language development process during this time.
Age is an important issue in learning ASL. The earlier sign language is taught, particularly before starting school, the better the outcome for communicating competently with others.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and featured writer on Clivir.com where she shares her knowledge about Sensorineural Hearing Loss Causes with others. You can also find her other lessons including Children Hearing Impairment on Clivir.
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