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From: cnorman@ucsd!weber.ucsd.edu (Cyndi Norman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: ASL--roots and relation to other languages
Summary: French, Dutch, Spanish, Nicaraguan SL
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Date: 26 Nov 90 05:53:10 GMT
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Index Number: 11966

Someone asked about worldwide signing systems so I will give an answer
based on my background in linguistics (I am hearing and sign at a
conversational level--though trying to learn more).

ASL is a creole (mixture) of French Sign Language (FSL) and the signing
system used by European colonists in what is now the U.S.  FSL is also
related to Dutch Sign Language, Spanish Sign Language (used in Spain, not
in all Spanish-speaking countries), and many others.  It is NOT related to
British or Austrailian Sign Languages.  ASL is used in Canada and parts of
Mexico although other parts of Mexico have their own Sign Language.

I spent six-months in 1986 studying Nicaraguan Sign Language (actually,
only used in Managua; other parts of the country have different languages).
It is first-generation (the first of the native signers should be entering
grade school soon) and very different from ASL or FSL.  There are enough
similarities in vocabulary to make it obvious that some words were borrowed
from visiting North Americans or Europeans.  But the grammar is completely
different. 

I can give more details to anyone who might be interested.  I'd also love
to hear about other non-ASL sign languages (as well as ASL, of course).
___________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's             Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)              cnorman@ucsd.edu