Signing American Manual Alphabet

In this alphabet we use fingers instead of letters. This system was first developed in France by Abbe Charles Michel De I'Epee in the 1700's. It came to the United States when Laurent Clerc brought it to the deaf people he was teaching. He was a "Deaf-mute" and became the first "professional" teacher educator.

• Waving your friend over
• Showing you are angry by pounding your fist on the table
• Showing you are happy by smiling
• Showing you are sad by frowning
• Telling someone to be quiet by putting your finger over your mouth
• Showing you agree by nodding your head up and down
• Showing you do not agree by shaking your head right to left
• Telling someone to stop by holding your hand up
• Asking to speak by raising your hand

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Drawing Pictures

You can draw a picture of what you want to say and the other person can figure it out.

A good game for this method is called Pictionary. Look for it in a toy store near you!

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Write Words

Of course, people do not have to make a sound when they write words on paper.

Can you think of other non verbal communication techniques?

Send your examples to us. [email] and we will add them to this list.

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