What is American Sign Language?
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used by the deaf and hard of hearing in North America. As many as two million people in the United States use ASL as their primary method of communication. This makes it the fourth most commonly used language in the country. Sign language is not a universal language. Each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, like the languages that are spoken all over the world.
During signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes. The placement, movement, and shape of the hands play important roles on conveying the information, as well as facial expressions and body movements. One of the biggest misconceptions about ASL is that it is simply English adapted for the deaf or hard of hearing. It is actually its own unique language with its own rules of grammar and syntax. ASL is a living language, like all languages, that grows and changes over time.
ASL signs can be classified as transparent, translucent, or opaque. Transparent signs have meaning that are easily understood even by those who have not mastered the basics of the language. Signs that are translucent are understood by non-proficient speakers once the meaning has been explained. An opaque sign has a meaning that is not often guessed by someone who isn’t fluent in ASL. Most of the signs needed to communicate clearly are opaque signs.
There are several different ways to learn American Sign Language. Up to 90% of all children who are born deaf have hearing parents. Therefore, there are a variety of highly structured language programs available throughout North America. In order to develop better communication with the child, many programs encourage family and friends to learn the language. Many parents teach their infants a modified version of sign language to help in communication before verbal skills are developed. In many high schools, colleges, and universities, ASL classes are used to fulfill foreign language study requirements.
Why Emphasize Early Sign Language Learning?
Early identification of children who are born deaf or hard of hearing is critical to make sure their families have the resources needed to help acquire language and age-appropriate development. At almost all hospitals, newborns are tested for hearing before leaving the hospital. If a baby has a hearing loss, this screening gives parents a chance to learn about communication options.
That is why parents should introduce a child who is deaf or hard of hearing to language as soon as possible. The earlier a child is exposed to and begins to learn language, the better their communication skills will become. Research suggests that the early months of life can be important for establishing successful communication. And, the first few years of life are the most crucial to a child’s development of language skills.
Preparing deaf children to achieve optimal linguistic fluency in both English and ASL enables them to later engage in meaningful adult communication as fully contributing, participating, and productive members of society. Educational programs serving deaf students nationwide are adopting a dual language approach to educating deaf children. It is based on similar linguistic principles and practices for other world languages which promote learning more than one language as early as is feasible. Language and cultural competencies also contribute to healthy development of identity and self-esteem in deaf children. This includes fluid movement and clearer interaction between the deaf and hearing communities.
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO
lb
