People with a hearing disability have the most profound way of communicating; with their hands. This is the language of the Deaf and just like the spoken word, other countries and regions of the world have 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.
It is not really known how American Sign Language was developed, however it is known that a French man named Laurent Clerc opened the very first school for the Deaf in the United States. So, it only stands to reason that knowing ASL would help you with FSL or French Sign Language. However, this is not the case, although they are quite similar.
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.
Language skills are developed in the first six months of life; therefore it is imperative that all newborn babies be tested for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. If a diagnosis shows a hearing impairment, parents can then start researching the best option for teaching their child methods of communication.
The earliest a child is taught sign language, especially before starting school, the more competent they will be in communicating.
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.
It is not really known how American Sign Language was developed, however it is known that a French man named Laurent Clerc opened the very first school for the Deaf in the United States. So, it only stands to reason that knowing ASL would help you with FSL or French Sign Language. However, this is not the case, although they are quite similar.
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.
Language skills are developed in the first six months of life; therefore it is imperative that all newborn babies be tested for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. If a diagnosis shows a hearing impairment, parents can then start researching the best option for teaching their child methods of communication.
The earliest a child is taught sign language, especially before starting school, the more competent they will be in communicating.
About the Author:
A licensed registered nurse and reputable writer, Barb Hicks loves to share her knowledge with others. You can find her articles about Causes of Hearing Loss and Definition Of Hearing Impairment on Clivir.com.
