Language Of The Month

American Sign Language (or ASL) is a complete visual language. It is primarily used by d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing people throughout the United States and Canada. The origins of American Sign Language are unclear and hotly debated, but ASL most likely originated in the early 19th century when teachers using Langue des Signes Francaise (or French Sign Language) encountered students using local sign languages at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. Today, ASL is the first language of approximately 500,000 people (although this number is tentative, as ASL has never been included as an option on the US Census). Check out our LOTM board in the LCC!