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What is American Sign Language?

Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

American Sign Language, also known as ASL or Ameslan, is the sign language predominantly used by the deaf and hard of hearing community in North America. As many as two million people in the United States use ASL as their primary method of communication, making it fourth most commonly used language in the country. In other parts of the world, it is used in conjunction with French Sign Language, British Sign Language, and other regional sign languages.

One of the biggest misconceptions about American Sign Language is that it is simply English adapted for the deaf or hard of hearing. It is actually its own unique language complete with specific semantics, syntax, phonology, pragmatics, and morphology. In linguistics, ASL is considered to be a separate area of specialization.

American Sign Language has been taught to gorillas.
American Sign Language has been taught to gorillas.

American Sign Language is a unique system of communication because it is both a visual language and manual language. Instead of expressing himself through sound, a speaker using ASL employs a combination of facial expressions, body language, gestures, palm orientations, and hand shapes. Learning the subtleties of communicating in this manner can often take years of intensive study.

In North America, ASL is commonly used to translate spoken words to symbols for the deaf and hearing impaired.
In North America, ASL is commonly used to translate spoken words to symbols for the deaf and hearing impaired.

In this language, signs can be classified as transparent, translucent, or opaque. Signs that are transparent have meanings that are easily understood even by people who have not mastered the basics of the language. Translucent signs are understood by non-proficient speakers once the meaning has been explained. In comparison, a sign that is classified as opaque has a meaning that is not often guessed by someone who isn’t fluent in American Sign Language. Most of the signs needed to communicate clearly using ASL are classified as opaque.

Chimpanzees have been taught sign language because of their intelligence.
Chimpanzees have been taught sign language because of their intelligence.

There are several different ways people can learn American Sign Language. Since up to 90% of all children who are born deaf have hearing parents, there are a variety of highly structured language programs available throughout North America. Many of these programs encourage family and friends to learn the language as well in order to develop better communication with the child. American Sign Language classes are also used to fulfill foreign language study requirements at many high schools, colleges, and universities. For those looking for a less structured approach, there are numerous websites offering independent study lessons in basic ASL.

American Sign Language has several other uses in addition to communication within the deaf and hard of hearing community. It has been taught to chimpanzees, gorillas, and other non-human primates as part of various research projects. Many parents also teach their infants a modified version of sign language to assist in communication before verbal skills are developed.

Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the LanguageHumanities team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.

Learn more...
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the LanguageHumanities team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon24447

Ameslan? no one *ever* calls it that.

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    • American Sign Language has been taught to gorillas.
      By: francesca333
      American Sign Language has been taught to gorillas.
    • In North America, ASL is commonly used to translate spoken words to symbols for the deaf and hearing impaired.
      By: lawcain
      In North America, ASL is commonly used to translate spoken words to symbols for the deaf and hearing impaired.
    • Chimpanzees have been taught sign language because of their intelligence.
      By: davemhuntphoto
      Chimpanzees have been taught sign language because of their intelligence.