American sign language (ASL) is not just spelling out words with hand signals. ASL is a whole unique language, complete with its own grammatical rules and syntax (sentence structure). It is fully as precise, versatile, and subtle as English. In some ways, (considering that it is a three-dimensional language) ASL is even more so.

ASL is uniquely American. It has been around in the U.S. for as long as there have been deaf people here. The first standardization and formal teaching began 190 years ago at the first school for the deaf in the U.S. Students from that school then spread the use of ASL to all parts of the U.S. and Canada.

Today, about half a million deaf people in the U.S. and Canada speak ASL. It is also spoken by an unknown number of family members, friends, co-workers, employees, employers, merchants and others who regularly interact with deaf people. Many experts say that ASL is the third most-spoken language in the U.S.

Why should you learn Sign Language? Do you want to improve your communication with a family member or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to communicate with deaf people in general?

Do you work with or encounter deaf people in your profession? Are you a "first responder" (firefighter, police officer or paramedic) who wants to be able to communicate with deaf people in emergencies?

Would you like to advance in your career by being able to communicate in ASL? Do you want to be a Sign Language interpreter?

For whatever reason, many people are many learning ASL... it is not difficult or expensive to learn this unique form of communication. It's even exciting!

You can communicate clearly with ASL at distances far beyond the reach of the loudest shout!

Underwater divers use sign language to communicate with each other, in an environment where speaking is often impossible.

A very small microphone can pick up and eavesdrop on any spoken conversation, even if whispered. But a microphone is useless at recording sign language!

Yes, it is true that a video pickup COULD record it. But the recording would have to be continuous (not a sequence of still-shots) and in well-positioned direct line of sight. A video camera would be useless if the person speaking American Sign Language was behind something or had his back to the camera...

Learning to "speak" using sign language is only one part of the equation though. For a real conversation to take place you of course need to understand what the person you are talking to is saying. And this is often the more difficult part, as different people vary their gestures slightly and express the signs at different speeds. You will need lots of practice to perfect your skills, but with some free sign language lessons, you can learn ASL and actually have fun doing it.