What language is Sign Language?
354434
Yes, each country has their own sign language.  In America it is called ASL, and it is actually closer to French sign language than to British sign language.  And the alphabet is different in different countries, for example, the ASL sign for "t" is the same as flicking someone off in British sign language.\n\nI saw one figure that said that there are 114 known sign languages\ncheck out this site: http://faculty.valencia.cc.fl.us/arasmussen/General_Info/glossing_module_writing_unwritten.htm\n\nPoint is, no, it is not a universal language.
419878
ASL is often offered through local colleges. It is very easy to learn and easy to retain. I learned ASL from 3rd through 8th grade as my school had a large deaf population. I still remember a bulk of the signs years later without any practice.
440150
Yes there a ton of different forms of sing language.  In fact just in the US there are multiple kinds (one which is more of a signed English another ASL is a completely different language and way of thinking then English.  It was developed by a French teacher of deaf students and based on his French Sing Language).  Verbal languages are not equivilant in the sense that they are not literal translations from one to another but they show different ways of thinking and different perspectives of the world.  The same is true of sign language.   Also unlike one might believe signed languages are usually not a direction equivalant of the verbal language of the area they are used in but are another language completely.
607602
new language by signs (silence films)
339024
Sign Language, of course:)\n\nBy the way, no language is any more difficult than another for it's respective native speakers.\n\nChinese may be difficult for a native English speaker to speak, but a baby learns it as easily as it would English.
549714
ASL in America\nThe history of ASL is long and rich. Much of its early development, however, remains poorly documented. One reason for this is that, like spoken languages, the early forms of signed languages are not preserved. While we can establish the time and circumstances under which education and thus formal instruction in English and various forms of signing, were brought to deaf people in the United States, we have little idea about the structure of the language which deaf people used prior to this. In spite of the paucity of information about earlier forms of signed language, we should not doubt that deaf people did communicate with each other in a natural signed language. Even before hearing people began to take an interest in their education, we can be sure that deaf people used a signed language.\n\nAmerican Sign Language (ASL) is the visual/gestural language which is the primary means of communication of deaf people in America and parts of Canada. Current estimates are that between 100,000 and 500,000 people use ASL (Padden, 1987). This includes native signers who have learned ASL as their first language from deaf parents, hearing children of deaf parents who also learned ASL as their native language, and fluent signers who have learned ASL from deaf people (Padden, 1987).
817052
Many colleges and universities offer interpreting programs (usually 2 years). However, just getting a degree does not make you an interpreter.  You will have to become certified to work as a professional interpreter. You can become certified through the RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf). You have to go through a training program and then take the written and skills exams. \nIt is also suggested that you spend a lot of time in the Deaf community to help with learning the culture and language.
1138759
I am an asl interpreter. I became one because both of my parents are deaf but many community colleges offer asl classes.  there are also alot of cd's that offer asl lessons. try your local educational supply store.
81651
no, there are several different language signs. different countries have different signs. hear in america most use ASL which is actually closer to french signs than english, but there are still many, many differences between each of them. sign language developed differently in each area, just like the languages we speak.
545443
What is a signing group? Like sign language?
777702
Sign language is for the deaf but its good if a person that can hear can learn the basics as we sometimes meet up with people with hearing disabilities. As for taking a long time to learn, not really, First you learn the alphabet using your hand and fingers (helps if your nimble fingered) Then you learn gestures to indicate words. not really hard at all. With practise you can learn the alphabet in a month.
141211
I couldn't find anything exactly on the subject in my search, but it is very easily argued that sign language, for a deaf person is the only form of communication, and thus can be the only way a deaf person could "say" anything.  Say has been extended to anything you write (or sign you name to), absent coersion or undue influence, or police misconduct.  Since writing something isn't that far off of signing (as in sign language) something, it is very likely that a court would determine that anything you sign can be used against you as well.\n\nThis might make a good bar exam question...
308528
A great site to check words out in sign language:\n\nhttp://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm\n\nYou can look up the words in the index and they provide instructions on how to do them and are also shown how to do them through a quicktime video. Some of the words you may have to find synonyms for, as there is not a sign for every word.
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http://www.lessontutor.com/ees_asl_relgious.html\n\nhttp://www.deafmissions.com/?PageID=18&Letter=A
598659
Can you access google?\nIf you type in "American Sign Language Alphabet", there are some good charts that appear.\n\nI would upload one here, but I'm not sure if I can put anything but text into this box.\n\nAlso, you can download fingerspelling fonts from the internet, you could use one to make yourself a chart.
139538
compalin to the landlord, police, or any other authority you can think of. They might not understand English, but sign language is universal.
710836
I began learning American Sign Language my sophomore year in high school. My friend was having a surgery that would either fix his hearing, or make him deaf. It was a wonderful experience, learning the language. Now I use some simple baby signs with my toddler, and it has helped us communicate better.