American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language that uses movements of the hands, face, and body to convey meaning
. It is the most commonly used sign language in the United States and parts of Canada
. ASL is a complete and organized visual language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax, and it is a living language that grows and changes over time
. Some key aspects of ASL include:
- Origins : ASL originated in the early 19th century at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut
- Usage : ASL is used predominantly in the United States and in many parts of Canada, and it is accepted by many high schools, colleges, and universities as a modern or foreign language academic degree requirement
- Grammar and Syntax : ASL has its own rules for pronunciation, word formation, and word order, and it is a living language that evolves over time
- Regional Variations : ASL has regional accents and dialects, and it is not a universal language. Each country has its own sign language, and regions have variations in the rhythm of signing, pronunciation, slang, and signs used
- Related Languages : ASL is most closely related to French Sign Language (LSF) and has been proposed as a creole language of LSF, although it shows features atypical of creole languages, such as agglutinative morphology
ASL is used by people who are deaf, and it is often learned as a second language by hearing individuals who want to communicate with the deaf community
. It is also widely used in situations where spoken language would be ineffective or inappropriate, such as during church sermons or between boats at sea
