For the hearing and speech impaired people, verbal communication is nearly impossible. However, they have a different way to communicate, by using sign language.

Sign language is a unique and different way to communicate, used by most hearing and speech impaired people. If you are like most people, you would think that it is the same as in any other country. However, sign language, like any other language (spoken) is different or even unique to each country. Thus, the American Sign Language is vastly different from British Sign Language, for example. The French Sign Language though is related to other sign languages in Europe, including Russian, Irish, Belgian-French, Flemish, German and Dutch Sign Languages, as well as American Sign Language and (French-Canadian) Quebec Sign Language.

Complex language

Sign language is a complex and complete language, which uses hand signs and other movements such as body postures and facial expressions. It is one of the options available for deaf people to communicate. In the United States, the American Sign Language (ASL) is the fourth most used language.

For most speech or hearing impaired persons, using sign language is one of the easiest ways to communicate. It is fascinating to watch two people talk to each other quickly and silently, with their hands and their fingers moving animatedly.

Development

Throughout the world, people have developed their own versions of a sign language as a means to converse with each other. Gestures and signs have always been employed in communication. Even the Medieval monks have developed their own way to communicate even if they have taken vows to remain silent. African and Australian Bushmen, as well as Native Americans are very fluent in the art of sign language and gestures. Most of these are used only within their own community.

Uses and applications

While each country has a standard sign language format, there are still hand signs that are employed differently. In Hawaii, the “shaka” sign is very popular, which shows that you have embraced the local culture and know how to say hello, goodbye or thank you with a simple gesture. To make the shaka, you extend the thumb and little finger of your right hand while folding the other fingers over your palm. With the little finger you draw a “J” in the air and give your shaka hand a shake. Hawaiian hula dancers also have their set of hand signs and gestures. Arms crossed over the chest translates to embracing love, while hands gently beating up and down indicates the gentle ocean waves. Indian classical dancers also have an extensive vocabulary of “mudras” or hand gestures, most of them used to describe actions and may represent animals, gods, goddesses and emotions

Although the true origin of sign language is undetermined, the one that we know today started in the 16th century, devised by Geronimo Cardano, an Italian physician who decided to teach the deaf by associating words with symbols. The formal development and instruction of the sign language came about in 1755 through the school for the deaf founded by Abbe Charles Michel de L’Epée.