Tools and resources
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outside the classroom.

What is Sign?  The Sign Language Continuum explains the different modalities of signed communication.

Sign Language is a generic term for many forms of manual communication.

ASL is the language of the American Deaf Community.

ASL & PSE are taught in Interpreting Training Programs in order to meet the needs of most Deaf consumers.

ASL                           PSE                          MCE

PANTOMIME

Introduction
The Continuum describes the contrasts between ASL, Pidgin Signed English (PSE) and the various forms of Manually Coded English (MCE). ASL is considered its own language due to the unique rules of grammar different from English. By stark contrast, MCE systems are not distinct languages. Manually Coded English systems borrow ASL signs, but use English sentence structure. Signs were invented which were needed to express components of English grammar not found in ASL. Pidgin Signed English (PSE) falls somewhere in the middle by preserving the conceptual meaning of ASL while using a more English-like word order.

American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL is a visual and manual language made up of signs created with the hands, facial expressions, and body posture and movement. It maintains conceptually accurate communication. It is a language in and of itself, with its own grammar and vocabulary. Over 60% of ASL communication depends on expression and facial grammar with minimal mouth movements. It conveys ideas, information, and emotion with as much range, complexity, and versatility as spoken languages. ASL is the language typically used among Deaf adults. ASL is not encoded English nor is it universal.

Pidgin Signed English (PSE)
PSE describes naturally occurring varieties which incorporate traditional ASL signs in a flexible English grammatical order. English is mouthed exactly as spoken when interpreted. Signs are used with an attempt to retain the conceptual meaning of ASL rather than English, so that "right" would be signed different ways depending on its conceptually accurate meaning.

Manually Coded English (MCE)
MCE is the term for contrived systems for encoding English in manual form. These systems of visual English are attempts to precisely represent the English language, both its grammar and vocabulary, through the means of speech reading. Signs are placed in English order with signs representing English grammatical forms, such as suffixes and prefixes. Many systems of sign English have been developed in response to a desire of some educators to teach English to deaf children. Many of these English sign systems currently in use are the center of great controversy. Studies show that MCE, due to its inability to conceptually translate information, may be detrimental to acquiring literacy*. Examples of MCE are Signing Exact English (SEE), LOVE, Manual English, Signed English, and many other derivatives.

Pantomime
A universal method of communication through gestures. This is a nonverbal system of communication that is used in all modalities of sign language, crossing all signing spectrums.

*(Hoffmeister, 1993a, 1995; Supalla, 1991; Wodlinger-Cohen, 1991)
A portion of the above information was taken from Sharon Neumann Solow's book entitled Sign Language Interpreting: A Basic Resource Book.

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