QUIET AMERICA

Quiet America

Quiet America

Introduction

Throughout the world, deaf people have developed visual language. The language used by deaf people is a blend of signs brought from France early in the 19th century. Some signs were already in use in various countries. With no formal sign language in existence here at that time, home, local, and French signs blended together to become a new sign language called American Sign Language, now considered to be one of the most refined and complete sign systems in the world

Any means of communication through bodily movements, especially of the hands and arms, used when spoken communication is impossible or not desirable. The practice is probably older than speech. Sign language may be as coarsely expressed as mere grimaces, shrugs, or pointing; or it may employ a delicately nuance combination of coded manual signals reinforced by facial expression and perhaps augmented by words spelled out in a manual alphabet. Wherever vocal communication is impossible, as between speakers of mutually unintelligible languages or when one or more would-be communicators are a deaf-mute, sign language can be used to bridge the gap. Signs usually represent ideas and not single words. Many signs are iconic, that is, they use a visual image for signing the idea. Other signs are arbitrary and although the originators may have reasons for forming or moving a sign in a particular way these reasons are unknown today. The sign for the deaf was originally made by pointing to the ear and the month, probably to match the now outdated terms '' deaf and dumb'' or deaf mute.''

Thesis Statement

Effective communication is possible through sign language.

Principles & Misconceptions in Effective Interpersonal Communications

Although a change has been made a point to the ear and sign closed, many deaf people continue to use the old sign. The question is often asked weather sign language is universal. Although signs are used in many countries, each has developed it's own system, which has been standardized to some extent within that country. In recent years an international sign language has been developed that crosses national barriers and permits communication between deaf persons of many countries. This language, sometimes called Gestuno, has been found useful for international events, such as conferences and Olympic games for the Deaf. Persons knowing the language of signs find they can cross the language barrier more easily using signs with a deaf person then using the spoken language with a hearing person. In educational circles the language of signs has now gained respectability and a number of colleges and universities offer credit courses. Several also accept proficiency in signs to fulfill the foreign language requirement. Sign language is viewed by some as a new art form and is used in performances by the National Theater of the deaf, a professional drama group, as a means of presenting deaf people and their language to hearing the world. Also being introduced is signed interpretation of music, a beautiful and expressive means of portraying the lyrics, emotions and the rhythm of ...