Sign Languages and Deaf Culture

The first formal sign language is generally attributed to the French educator Charles-Michel de l'Épée, who established the first school for the deaf in Paris in 1755.

Sign language is the primary mode of communication for deaf individuals, allowing them to express themselves and interact with others.

Deaf Culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, traditions, and experiences of deaf individuals, including their use of sign language and their unique perspective on the world.

The term 'Deaf' refers to individuals who have significant hearing loss from birth or early childhood, resulting in limited or no functional hearing.

The term 'Late-Deafened' refers to individuals who lose their hearing after acquiring spoken language, typically in adulthood.

The term 'Hard of Hearing' refers to individuals who have a hearing loss that affects their ability to hear and understand speech, but they still have some residual hearing.

Sign language is a visual-gestural language that uses hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey meaning.

Speech is a method of communication that involves producing and perceiving spoken words.

Writing is a method of communication that involves representing language in written form using letters, symbols, and characters.

Lip reading is a method of communication that involves understanding speech by observing the speaker's lip movements.

Sign language acquisition refers to the process by which deaf children acquire sign language as their native language.

Sign language learning refers to the process by which individuals who are not deaf learn sign language as a second language.

Deaf education refers to the specialized education of deaf and hard of hearing children, which may include instruction in sign language, speech, and other communication methods.

Auditory-verbal therapy is a therapy that aims to develop spoken language skills in deaf children through the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices.

Total communication refers to the use of sign language and speech simultaneously, allowing deaf and hearing individuals to communicate effectively.