Sign Languages

The Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing population around the world have created a unique language that allows them to talk to people without using their voice or lip-read: sign language.

 

The most widely-used sign language is ASL (American Sign Language.) It was created around 1817 and has between 250,000-500,000 users/speakers in the United States alone. Like spoken English, ASL has become a lingua franca for communication around the world. The vast majority of sign languages evolved from ASL - becoming tailored to meet the needs of the local people. ASL is used almost exclusively in: the US, Canada (English-speaking parts), Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Togo, Cambodia, Barbados, Bolivia, Central African Republic, Chad, Dem. Rep. of the Congo, Gabon, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, the Philippines and Singapore.

 

Some countries have made the sign language used within their territory an official language just like a spoken language would be. These include: Algeria (in 2002), Kenya, Uganda (1995), Zimbabwe (2013),  Brazil (2002), Mexico (2005), Venezuela (1999), Australia, New Zealand (2006), Austria (2005), Catalonia Spain (2009), Finland (1995), Germany (2002), Hungary (2009), Iceland (2004), Slovakia (1995), Spain (2007), Canada (Manitoba -1988, Alberta - 1990, Ontario - 1993)

 

ASL and many other sign languages have evolved over the years. From having to spell-out every single letter to now being able to use one sign to mean a word or phrase. I know the ASL alphabet (but not most of the new signs) and think it's pretty interesting how people do not let something like not being able to hear and, in many cases, speak to stop them from flourishing not only in their community but also with people from around the world. More people (especially the non-deaf) should learn their local sign language and more countries need to promote this language within their governments.