Sign language for the deaf (also commonly referred to as the signed language) is basically, a language that uses manual communication, lip patterns and body language instead of sound. It involves combining, simultaneously hand shapes, movement of the hands and its orientation along with the movement of arms or body and the facial expressions to express persons thoughts. They are not only practiced by the deaf communities but also by their family, friends etc. Just like spoken languages, sign languages differ from one region to another.
However when people belonging to different communities of sign languages try to communicate, its way easier than when people of different spoken languages try to converse. Wherever there exist communities of deaf people sign languages for the deaf develop. And it should also be noted that the grammar that they use to form sentences are different from spoken languages. In the past there have also developed many sign languages that is enacted to form a language similar to the spoken language.
The signed English or the Warlpiri sign language is examples of such sign languages. There are over hundreds of sign languages that have been developed and are used all over the world. Many sign languages that have also obtained legal recognition while there are many have no such status at all. There also exists sign language poetry and other stage performances using just sign language. Such a growth of a sign language shows its mature status in a society.
The mechanisms that are used by signing poets are not available to a speaking poet. The history of sign languages (or at least its recorded history) begins in the 18th century in France. In the year 1755 an individual named Abbe de Lepee was known to have founded the first public school for deaf children in Paris. Its most famous graduate is Laurent Clerc who later went to the united states and there along with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet started the American school for the deaf in Connecticut.
Most spoken languages have a sign language for the deaf counterpart since there exists deaf members in most linguistic groups that give rise to their sign language. The factors like geographical or cultural forces which isolate populations and influence their spoken languages and its the same factors that also help sign languages to take shape,
This always happens even though spoken languages and sign languages for the deaf are not directly related in the same lands from which they are born. There exists many geographical regions which are connected by just one spoken language but still have many sign languages that cant be related to one another.
Within a nation the geographical location of the school for the deaf can also contribute to the various sign languages within a region. There are many international events that are held for the deaf like the Deaflympics and the world federation of the deaf where the International sign language is used.
Muna wa Wanjiru
Original source: http://www.articlesbase.com/psychology-articles/why-sign-language-for-the-deaf-has-such-a-short-history-357378.html
