10 facts on sign language?

1. Sign languages (like ASL, BSL, etc) are complete, complex languages employing signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions and postures of the body.
2. A sign language is often the first language of many deaf people in their countries. (e.g. ASL is the first language of many deaf people in the U.S. and some regions of Canada)
3. Sign languages are just one of several communication methods available to deaf people.
4. A sign language used in one region may not be the same in another region, even if the two regions share the same official language. For example, ASL in the USA is not used in the UK (BSL is), even though both regions share the same official language - English.
5. Sign languages are foreign languages just like Spanish, French, etc. If you don't know sign and want to become fluent in it, it will take a long period of study and practice.
6. That is SASL can be used to tell jokes, ask riddles, express sarcasm, tell lies, create idioms, make poetry, etc.
7. Some hand forms and combination of movements may be the same in two Sign Languages but the meanings could be completely different.
8. In the past, Sign Language was not accepted in schools for the Deaf, society in general as well as within the immediate family. This meant that Deaf children did not see anybody use Sign Language until they went to school, if at all.
9. Deaf adults themselves should teach Sign language
10. Deaf adults also function in Deaf community centers and clubs as role models not only for Deaf children but also for parents and other family members as well.

First answer by Kyle Brooks. Last edit by Smartart. Contributor trust: 114 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question]