American Sign Language
RegionUSA/Canada
FamilySign language
Speakers500,000 signers
ScriptNot written
TypeSigned
About American Sign Language
A complete natural language in handshape, motion, and face. Grammatically unrelated to English, closer to French Sign Language in origin. Owns its own poetry, humor, and wordplay. One of hundreds of distinct sign languages worldwide. Activates the same language networks of the brain as speech.