visual gestural language: specific movements and shapes of the hands, arms, eyes, face, heard AND body positive words and intonation

History of Sign Language

• whenever there are deaf people, there is a signed language

• deaf people in different areas probably had very little contact with each other

• 1817: Gallaudet become involved in establishing a school for the deaf in America

  • was inspired by French method of education using signs

  • French sign language combined with ASL to become modern day ASL

Who Uses ASL?

• Americans and Canadians

• deaf people who use ASL see themselves as part of the Deaf community

What is the Deaf Community?