America is a country whose citizens speak a variety of languages given their culturally diverse backgrounds and different nationalities. However, English is commonly spoken in the US followed by Spanish. Yet there is another language that many people do not use but is popular with a section of the population. The language is the American Sign Language (ASL). Several professionals of ASL have reported that a section of the population are familiar with ASL and use it more often than not. Similarly, some people only have generalized knowledge about ASL . Therefore, this paper is an in-depth analysis of ASL and aims to discuss some of the characteristics of the language that makes it unique from other languages.
Analysis
A research study by Lucas and Valli (2005) states that the American Sign Language, which is also popularly known as ASL is the use of sign language. They state that over 500,000 to 2 million people in the US use ASL (Valli, 2005). Similarly, ASL is the main language used by the American Deaf Association. The authors further state that ASL is an autonomic linguistic system that is more sign oriented than aural in natures. It is also clear that all ASL linguistics use signs instead of spoken words. Similarly, ASL is a fully formed language like other forms of languages used in the nation and in other parts of the world. However, ASL differs from other languages based on the mode of expression, which is by the use of signs. Moreover, ASL does not depend on American English or other forms of languages spoken in the country and around the world. Instead, the language has its own signs that make up its whole components. Similarly, sign language is iconic, meaning that it directly reflects or mimics the reference or meanings of the intended information.
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Some research studies have shown that sign language is arbitrary, differs geographically and across social groups (Finegan & Rickford, 2004). This it to mean that like spoken language, sign language also had dialects. For example, the sign language used in America differs from that used in Europe and other parts of the world. Similarly, the ASL for women and that for men may differ significantly. On the same note, the sign language used by blacks, whites, young, and the old people may also differ just as in the spoken languages (Nicole, 2004). ASL users also seem to have a different meaning for some signs invented among themselves. Just like people come up with colloquial words to stand for some meaning, so does sign language users have various signs that are not standard to the normal sign language and hence have varied meanings.
Analysis
Studies also show that ASL does not follow nor is it influenced by American English. On the same note, it does not follow British English and does not have any resemblance to the British Sign Language (BSL). In the same way, ASL does not follow other spoken languages in the country. Moreover, ASL also changes significantly when in contact with other sign languages just like the spoken languages do. Despite the evident variations in ASL, the study by Lucas and Valli (2005) reports that many ASL user in America follows other forms of languages. For example, they can write, read and some can also speak English and other languages. As stated earlier, ASL is the common and main language used by the American Deaf Association. On the same note, ASL is also used in Canada.
When a person says an ASL users, the person is either referring to different kinds of people using the sign language in the nation (Lucas & Valli, 2005). These could include a deaf person from a deaf family in which ASL is the main language used or a hearing person of a deaf family who acquires the use of ASL as the language of communication between him or her and the deaf person. Normally, the hearing persons who acquire the use of ASL as a first language are referred to as codas and may be children of deaf parents. Similarly, the term ASL user may also refer to deaf members of hearing families who acquire the use of ASL from their deaf peers in a school setting.
The term may also refer to adults who become deaf due to medical and other conditions and hence have to learn ASL as a language or to hearing people who use English as their first language and learn ASL as their second languages. Similarly, ASL users may also refer to those people when learning ASL for career purposes, for example, ASL teachers, news reports, translators, and other professions who believe it is important to keep the deaf informed (Nicole, 2004).
It is also important for people to know that ASL is composed of organized symbols that are used systematically (Nicole, 2004). The symbols used in any sign language include the manual hand signs produced y the sign language users. ASL also consists of other non-manual signs used formed by the head, face, and the body. The manual signs have parts that include hand shapes in which the hands can either be open, closed, or bent and moving in different directions to pass the required information.
Normally, the closing, opening, and shaping of the fingers and the hand refer to different letters of the alphabetical letters and other meaning that enable sign language users to construct a concrete language that they can understand (Finegan & Rickford, 2004). The ASL user can also move their hands up or down, from side to side, or in an arc while trying to communicate. On the same note, the ASL users can also use the hand while either facing the signer or away from the signer. They can also use the hands to touch different body parts such as chin, chest, forehead, not breast to signify different things that professional and daily sign language user understand just too well.
Apart from using different hand gestures, there are other expressions such as the position of the head, facial expressions, body posture, and position of the body also play an important role in sign language communication (Lucas & Valli, 2005). The ASL has common features such as similar hand and body expressions and positions. The ASL also has a similar facial expression, palm orientation, handshape, and movement but only differ in location. Further research has shown that like other languages, the ASL and other signal languages undergo various types of changes. Thus, ASL has undergone changes that focus on hand gesture, facial expressions, body movements, and orientations (Lucas & Valli, 2005).
Some of the notable changes in sign language include a change in hand sign, orientation, change in two hands becoming one, and some new forms or body movements as used by ASL user. Similarly, some of the changes were promoted by the variety of people using ASL as their means of communication. They seem to undergo different changes as time goes by and aim to incorporate these changes in the sign language and its uses (Finegan & Rickford, 2004).
Reflection
The ongoing discussions show that ASL is a fully formed language that does not rely on other forms of spoken languages (Lucas & Valli, 2005). Moreover, just like other sign languages around the world, the ASL is unique in its application. The most important aspects of ASL are that it is a language that is fully constructed and follows a given pattern. Moreover, different ASL users vary from place, location and the need to know and use the language. It is also clear that ASL users can be those people who are able to speak, read, and write other languages such as American English, Spanish and may be another native language.
Moreover, some people use ASL as their first language because they were born deaf and had to learn ASL as their first language and mode of commutation. These people usually learn ASL at schools where they are taught different hand gestures, body, and facial expressions, movements and orientations to enable them to communicate effectively. Similarly, some people around the world also develop the knowledge and understanding of using sign language because of the circumstances they find themselves in (Nicole, 2004). For example, some people become deaf at later ages, were born to deal parents or have deaf children who cannot speak normally. In these cases, they have to learn how to use sign language with the aim f being able to communicate with their loved ones. Similarly, some people also study the use of sign language as a form of profession.
ASL is the main language used by the American Deaf Association. Studies have shown that between 500,000 to 2 million people in America use ASL. ASL is a unique language that follows it methodology and style. People learn ASL at different points in their lives and also acquire the use of ASL for reasons such as fitting in or for professional reasons. Moreover, ASL does not follow the methods of processes of Spanish or American English. On the same note, sign language is unique and varies based on geographical location, social group, and age of the users. Therefore, ASL is not similar to BSL and other forms of sign languages used in other nations of the world. Just like spoken languages, ASL goes through different changes such as facial expressions, body movements, orientations, and signals.
References
Finegan, E., & Rickford, J. (2004). Language in the USA: Themes for the twenty-first century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lucas, E., & Valli, C. (2005). American sign language. Hamline University.
Nicole, P. (2004). Creole languages: Forging new identities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
