What is asl?

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, complex language that employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions and postures of the body. It is the primary language of many deaf North Americans, as well as being used by some hearing people.

ASL is not simply a signed version of English. It has its own distinct grammar and syntax. Like spoken languages, ASL utilizes phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Important aspects of ASL include:

• History of ASL: The development and evolution of the language over time.
• ASL Grammar: The unique rules governing sentence structure and word order.
• ASL Vocabulary: The lexicon of signs used in the language.
• Facial Expressions in ASL: The crucial role of non-manual markers in conveying meaning.
• ASL Fingerspelling: The representation of the English alphabet using handshapes.
• Learning ASL: Resources and methods for acquiring proficiency in ASL.
• Deaf Culture: ASL's intrinsic link to the community and its values.