Sign language has played an important role throughout history; he removed the barrier between those who hear and those who are deaf. Sign language is a form of communication that does not rely on speech. It uses a visuo-spatial medium to express communication (Stewart & Akamatsu, 236). Hands, fingers, body, and facial features are used to visually convey linguistic information. Signs are formed by hands that convey symbols similar to spoken words and phrases. These facial and body movements serve as articulations and modifiers of speech. Through different body movements, deaf people are able to communicate with each other and find a common way to connect in a non-vocal way. The historical record of American Sign Language dates back to the early 19th century. The structure and lexicon of American Sign Language (ASL) were derived from French Sign Language (FSL) in the early 1800s (237). There is evidence that the first American school established for the deaf was in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817. The founders of this institution were Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. They were both trained in the use of French Sign Language before the creation of their institution in America. They originally used French sign language at their institution, which influenced the gestural behavior of many of their deaf students. Since then, it has been a calculated fact that sixty percent of the signs in American Sign Language derive from French Sign Language. The remaining forty percent of ASL signs were created by the deaf community. After a century, the ASL format has become recognized as a legitimate language. In turn, there have been many misconceptions over the years about how America... middle of paper ...... the validity of language and speech. It's a great way for children and adults to learn to speak through body language. Sign language is a wonderful way to speak with the silent tone of body movements and to communicate with others who share the same knowledge and passion of speaking with visual movements. Works Cited Aronoff, Mark, Meir, Irit, and Wendy Sandler “The Paradox of Sign Language.” Morphology » Language, Vol. 81, no. 2 (June 2005), pp. 301-344.Drasgow, Erik. “American Sign Language as a Path to Linguistic Proficiency.” Exceptional children. Flight. 64.3 (Spring 1998). pp.329.Stewart, David A., Akamatsu, C. Tane. "The advent of American Sign Language". Anthropology and Education Quarterly, Vol. 19, no. 3 (September 1988), pp. 235-252. Stokoe, William C. “Structure of Sign Language.” Annual review anthology. Flight. 9 (1980). pp. 365-368.