Interesting Sign Language Facts
When you see the small inset
picture of a sign language interpreter, you might be surprised
to know you are not seeing the language the deaf use among themselves.
The signed interpretation of speech is done using a method called Signed English. This is a signing method that attempts to mirror the syntax of English. However, Signed English is not American Sign Language (ASL), which has been recognized as a true language, complete with its own syntax.
According to neurologist Dr. Oliver Sachs, author of Seeing Voices (University of California Press, 1995), ASL is completely separate and different from Signed English. In fact, a deaf signer would be completely at home meeting deaf signers from France, but would be more or less lost in England. That’s because ASL was brought to the U.S. by French sign language teachers.
While the two sign languages have evolved and now have many differences, signers in both countries are still able to easily communicate.
Meanwhile, sign language interpreters really have no other choice but to use Signed English. It would be nearly impossible for an interpreter to listen to English and then sign in ASL, since the two languages are organized totally differently.