American Sign Language is a language spoken by hand gestures. It is commonly used between people in the deaf community. There are many different forms of sign language, all being vastly different, but here in the United States, most use American Sign Language (“American Sign Language.”). There are no known origins of the language but people believe that around two centuries ago, it was created from the mixing of multiple sign languages across the globe. Not too long ago, deaf people were oppressed and were denied rights that were given to people who were seen as “superior”. In modern times, this situation has improved, but we must not forget the past and see how far they have come.
Throughout society, people have believed that it is impossible for a deaf person to learn. These doubtful individuals see hearing as a necessity to being able to get an education. A man by the name of Juan Pablo de Bonet noticed this issue and was inspired to teach deaf people by creating the first manual alphabet system. Organized education for the deaf was non-existent until Abbe de L’Epee, one of the most important people in deaf history, founded the first deaf organization. L’Epee soon created a standard for signed language and was teaching this to all the students that attended his school (“History of Sign Language – Deaf History.”). Fast forward to now, sign language is seen as the main language for speaking and learning for the deaf community.
Although there was discrimination against the deaf in the past, sign language and the deaf community have evolved with the help of some influential people. These spoken hand gestures have helped and continued to help people with hearing loss across the globe. It is something that is a basic necessity in many of these people’s lives.
“History of Sign Language – Deaf History.” Start ASL, 15 Mar. 2018, http://www.startasl.com/history-of-sign-language.
Let Your Hands do the Talking 