The Origins of Alternate Sign Languages in Australia: could they include hearing Impairment?

Abstract

*  ž Ÿ $ % Z # # # ` Z‰ “™€} = ~ ™`! ; Z ` number of communities scattered around the world where the sign language of the deaf is also routinely used by hearing individuals. Such communities are, without exception, culturally or geographically isolated (often practising endogamy) and have a high proportion of profoundly deaf members. The deaf group develops its own sign language and the hearing members acquire mastery of it to varying degrees, using it in particular to communicate with deaf friends and relatives.