Deaf history presents a timeline of struggles and discrimination Deaf people have faced and continue to face in a hearing world. At the heart of deaf history is a shared language known as sign language. Merriam Webster defines sign language as “A system of hand movements used for communication especially by deaf people.” This language, just like most languages, varies greatly from country to country, even from state to state in the United States. For the purposes of this course, I will focus on the history of the deaf and American Sign Language (ASL). Some examples of early discriminatory misunderstandings can be traced back to 384-322 BC with Aristotle stating that deaf people did not it could be taught without feeling, so they "could not learn" and were denied education. Deaf education finally developed in the 1500s throughout Renaissance Europe when the Italian physician Geronimo Cardano attempted to teach his deaf son a code of symbols that he believed could be used for communication. The important history of the origins of sign language can be traced back to the 1600s. Many of the inhabitants of Martha's Vineyard off Cape Cod were part of a gene pool that produced large numbers of deaf people who created a huge community of "signatories". It wasn't until 1760 that the first official sign language series was created. French Sign Language was developed in France by the French priest Charles Michael De L'Eppe. De L'Eppe founded the first free public school for the deaf. It was during this period that Spain, Germany, Holland and England also made great progress towards deaf education and the development of sign language. Perhaps the best-known historical figure in Deaf culture is listening...... middle of paper... there's their own jargon and style when it comes to how they use language. This is just like every hearing person has their own stylistic way of speaking. American Sign Language is often greatly misunderstood. Of course it's a complex language, but in the time I've spent learning it I've found that it seems to be almost easier to learn than a foreign spoken language. I think the visual cues and expressions on signers' faces make communication with deaf people and other signers quicker. Every time you have something to sign, it's like you're putting on a small production and visually painting a picture for your listener. It is possible for deaf people to have dramatic and aggressive conversations. The language holds many emotions and continues to amaze me. I look forward to sharing additional research and information with the class as the semester continues.