Sign Language Alphabet
In the USA today, ASL is the 3rd largest language being used everyday by Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing alike. The sign language alphabet and sign language as a whole is believed to have originated by 2 means. First in Hartford, Connecticut by a Deaf man named Laurent Clerc who taught at the American School for the Deaf. Laurent Clerc learned French Sign Language in France and transplanted portions of the visual language here in America while teaching the Deaf. Other evidence is now teaching us that sign was already being used by Deaf individuals on the American continent in West Tisbury and Chilmark, located on Martha’s Vineyard where a large grouping of Deaf peoples were collected. It can be said that sign language is ALWAYS growing and maturing as decades of Deaf prosper.
Every letter in the English alphabet has a corresponding classifier (hand symbol) in American sign language. In all actuality native ASL users scarcely use fingerspelling except for names, titles and jargon type terminology. The alphabet is a excellent resource for the beginning ASL user, as it can be a back up for a forgotten or unlearned sign.
Youth tend to learn the ASL alphabet rather quickly, while older students are still capable but dexterity makes for a slightly slower application. There are countless ways to improve fingerspelling skills, such as spelling words while reading, looking in a mirror to practice vocab words, and the ever important and most encouraged… mingling with Deaf!
Mastery of the sign language alphabet is the first step you will take into the Deaf world!
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