| American sign language (ASL) is not just spelling out | | | | police officer or paramedic) who wants to be able to |
| words with hand signals. ASL is a whole unique | | | | communicate with deaf people in emergencies? |
| language, complete with its own grammatical rules and | | | | Would you like to advance in your career by being |
| syntax (sentence structure). It is fully as precise, | | | | able to communicate in ASL? Do you want to be a |
| versatile, and subtle as English. In some ways, | | | | Sign Language interpreter? |
| (considering that it is a three-dimensional language) | | | | For whatever reason, many people are many learning |
| ASL is even more so. | | | | ASL... it is not difficult or expensive to learn this unique |
| ASL is uniquely American. It has been around in the | | | | form of communication. It's even exciting! |
| U.S. for as long as there have been deaf people here. | | | | You can communicate clearly with ASL at distances |
| The first standardization and formal teaching began | | | | far beyond the reach of the loudest shout! |
| 190 years ago at the first school for the deaf in the | | | | Underwater divers use sign language to communicate |
| U.S. Students from that school then spread the use of | | | | with each other, in an environment where speaking is |
| ASL to all parts of the U.S. and Canada. | | | | often impossible. |
| Today, about half a million deaf people in the U.S. and | | | | A very small microphone can pick up and eavesdrop |
| Canada speak ASL. It is also spoken by an unknown | | | | on any spoken conversation, even if whispered. But a |
| number of family members, friends, co-workers, | | | | microphone is useless at recording sign language! |
| employees, employers, merchants and others who | | | | Yes, it is true that a video pickup COULD record it. But |
| regularly interact with deaf people. Many experts say | | | | the recording would have to be continuous (not a |
| that ASL is the third most-spoken language in the U.S. | | | | sequence of still-shots) and in well-positioned direct line |
| Why should you learn Sign Language? Do you want | | | | of sight. A video camera would be useless if the |
| to improve your communication with a family member | | | | person speaking American Sign Language was behind |
| or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to | | | | something or had his back to the camera... |
| communicate with deaf people in general? | | | | To learn more about this fascinating, useful language |
| Do you work with or encounter deaf people in your | | | | called American Sign Language, follow the links below. |
| profession? Are you a "first responder" (firefighter, | | | | |