What is American Sign Language ?

American Sign Language ( ASL ) is using "signs" with a visual concept and is most often the first language used to talk with deaf children. Total communication, spoken words and signs are used simultatneously so the child "sees" the word (not finger spelling) and sees the way the mouth moves and if they have any hearing, the sounds can be heard. This can be used in short phrases for a child as they would develope language. Meaning, a young child would first say " Want cookie". So the sign for WANT then the sign for COOKIE would be used to express the CONCEPT of what the child is communicating.

Signing Exact English- It is also called SEE SIGN- This is used as the child gets a bit older ( school age) so they also learn sentence structure and grammer. It is the way for hearing impaired people to learn the LANGUAGE... how we put our words together in a complete sentence to express ourselves precisely. Remember diagraming sentences and learning about verbs, nouns , adjectives etc... and how they are placed; in what order, in a written sentence or spoken sentence? This is the same thing...so this uses ASL PLUS all the so to speak. A young child would sign " I want a cookie, please." Signing each and every word in the sentence. Signing Exact English.

My experience is that by the time a child is in high school, and certainly as an adult, the main mode of communication is American Sign Language. The context of the topic is signed but without all the "ifs ands or buts". It is more like a picture the topic explaining the basic concepts, not the exact grammer one would say outloud. The ASL and SEE are used together during development and gradually changes. Finger spelling is done when needed for specific names or to be most accurate in some words.

Be sure to review the links... the BASIC GUIDE to ASL has great resources as well as the sites with LINKS in the name... each source is loaded!! Have fun!

My daughter first began using ASL at the age of 18 months when she a started full time school program in a rehabilitation center. She was in public school at 2 1/2 years in a total communication class. Her brother and I both learned ASL as it was her only mode of communication until she was about 7 years old. Once she was about 5 years old, she started Signing Exact English and what is interesting, this has helped her learn basic language much quicker than other children; but she doesn't necessarily understand what is means.

We used to differentiate between SPEECH and LANGUAGE at home once she started verbally talking. To ensure her progression of language skills she used Sign Language at school and was encouraged to "speak" as well.

At home, I wanted her to use her spoken words more, she didn't need to sign to us when we could all hear. In her classroom many other children had no hearing so her speech would not allow communication.

So at school she used her LANGUAGE ( sign language) and at home her SPEECH ( speaking aloud her words.) It was funny as she got a little older even with the ability to speak; she would SIGN in church or when I was on the telephone. I would have to remind her that signing is still interupting when I am busy . Sometimes it came in handy though!! LOL ~ honestly! :-) Linda

Please send Linda any comments.

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