Indian Sign Language (ISL) is a well-structured and coded gesture-based language used by the deaf and hard of hearing people in India. It is the only means of communication for the deaf community and is used to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. ISL is a necessity for a deaf person to connect with other deaf persons and the larger deaf community. It is also useful for hearing people to communicate with the deaf community.
ISL is not a new language, and it has been used historically as a lingua franca, notably for trading among tribes. It is still used for story-telling, oratory, various ceremonies, and other purposes. The most well-documented sign language used by Native Americans is Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL), which has several different dialects. George Drouillard, who was hired as an "Indian Interpreter," was the most fluent signer and likely used one or multiple PISL dialects.
ISL has a dictionary of signs, and each sign has an image, running video, and description. There are also courses available to learn ISL, which start with a general introduction to sign language. The basic level course consists of a 45-minute signed lecture with an English voiceover and a related printed text in the workbook.
In summary, Indian Sign Language is a well-structured and coded gesture-based language used by the deaf and hard of hearing people in India. It has a dictionary of signs, and courses are available to learn it. It has been used historically as a lingua franca, notably for trading among tribes, and is still used for various purposes.
