American Sign Language
Manual visual tongue
American Sign Language, commonly abbreviated ASL, is the primary visual-gestural language used by deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in the United States and much of Canada.
It is a complete natural language with its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary distinct from English—signs are not simply translated English words but convey meaning through handshapes, movement, facial expressions, and body positioning.
ASL developed in the early 19th century, influenced by French Sign Language and indigenous signing systems.
Letter-by-letter hand alphabet
- handshapeFinger positioning in signing
- movementChange in position
- locationPosition in space
- classifierAssigns items to groups
compound · two-handed · one-handed · symmetry · hold · transition · articulators
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- pragmaticsLanguage-in-context study
grammar · lexicon · vocabulary · classifiers · inflection · derivation · simultaneity · aspect
One who conveys meaning between languages
- CARTAuto racing league initials
- captioningAdding text to media
- accessibilityEase of approach
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
ADA · trilingual · transliteration · voicing
- babblingIncoherent or infantile speech
- immersionState of being submerged
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- proficiencySkilled performance level
Deaf higher education institution
- audismPrejudice against deaf individuals
- oralismSpeech-emphasis in deaf education
- CODAHearing offspring of deaf
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
fingerspelling
Letter-by-letter hand alphabet
classifier · compound · two-handed · one-handed · symmetry · hold · transition · articulators
syntax
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
pragmatics · grammar · lexicon · vocabulary · classifiers · inflection · derivation · simultaneity · aspect · agreement
interpreter
One who conveys meaning between languages
- CARTAuto racing league initials
- captioningAdding text to media
- accessibilityEase of approach
accommodation · ADA · trilingual · transliteration · voicing
L1
Gallaudet
Deaf higher education institution
squint
Partly close eyes
- Deafnessdeaf education, deaf awareness, deaf rights, deaf culture, deaf pride
- sign languagefingerspelling, ASL, handshape, BSL, ASL alphabet
- GallaudetDeaf culture, ASL
American Sign Languagespoken language
Audible verbal communication system
English · speech · written language · Mandarin Chinese · Spanish
language, America, American, Americans, Americana, Americano, Americanize, Americanized, Americanizing