Body+and+Sign+Language

__ Our Questions __

__How did body language start?__ The written history of sign language began in the 17th century in Spain. In 1620, [|Juan Pablo Bonet] published // Reducción de las letras y arte para enseñar a hablar a los mudos // (‘Reduction of letters and art for teaching mute people to speak’) in Madrid. It is considered the first modern treatise of Phonetics and Logopedia, setting out a method of oral education for the deaf people by means of the use of manual signs, in form of a manual alphabet to improve the communication of the dumb or deaf people. Wherever communities of deaf people exist, sign languages develop. In fact, their complex spatial grammars are markedly different from the grammars of spoken languages. Hundreds of sign languages are in use around the world and are at the cores of local [|Deaf cultures]. Some sign languages have obtained some form of [|legal recognition], while others have no status at all.

Were did sign and body language originally come from? [|Cats] communicate a variety of messages using **cat body language**. Examples include arching their backs as a signal of fear or aggression, and slowly blinking to signal relaxation. As is the case with [|dogs], the [|tail] is often used as a signaling mechanism. A twitch can indicate minor irritation, and a tail held high suggests confidence. In addition, a cat's tail may "wag" or move rapidly to express a state of conflict

__Why did body language start?__ We call these emotive expressions. It conveys social cues during social interactions with people. We call these expressive facial displays. It participates in behavioral responses (such as closing its eyes to protect them from a dangerous stimulus). It also synchronizes with the robot's speech. The face system must be quite versatile as the manner in which these four functions are manifest changes dynamically with motivational state and environmental factors.



Why is body language around? In addition to sign languages, various signed codes of spoken languages have been developed, such as [|Signed English] and [|Warlpiri Sign Language].[|[1]] These are not to be confused with languages, oral or signed; a signed code of an oral language is simply a signed mode of the language it carries, just as a writing system is a written mode. Signed codes of oral languages can be useful for learning oral languages or for expressing and discussing literal quotations from those languages, but they are generally too awkward and unwieldy for normal discourse. __Does New Zealand have a celebration where we celebrate sign language week?__ Yes. Go to www.nz**sign**.co.nz for more information.

__Is sign language the same around the world?__ No one form of sign language is universal. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) differs notably from ASL. Different sign languages are used in different countries or regions.

Why is body language around? Body language is around because it helps our deaf citizens so they can speak in their own special way.

__Which body part used the most in sign and body language?__ Your hands are usually used the most because it is the easiest way of speaking silently (body or sign language)

__Do you use all your fingers when signing?__ No usually you use your right hand to speak and your left hand to guide it.