French Sign Language (langue des signes française or LSF) is the sign language of the deaf in the nation of France. According to Ethnologue, it has 50,000 to 100,000 native signers.

French Sign Language is related to Dutch Sign Language (NGT), Flemish Sign Language (VGT), Belgian-French Sign Language (LSFB), American Sign Language (ASL), and Quebec Sign Language (LSQ).

History

---

French Sign Language is frequently, though mistakenly, attributed to the work of Charles Michel de l'Épée (l'abbé de l'Épée). In fact, he is said to have discovered the already existing language by total accident; having ducked into a nearby house to escape the rain, he fell upon a pair of twin sisters, deaf, and was struck by the richness and complexity of the language that they used to communicate among themselves and the deaf Parisian community. The abbé set himself to learning the language, now known as Old French Sign Language, and eventually he established a free school for the deaf. At this school, he developed a system he called "methodical signs", to teach his students how to read and write. The abbé was eventually able to make public demonstrations (1771 to 1774) of his system, demonstrations that attracted educators and celebrities from all over the continent and that popularised the idea that the deaf could be educated, especially by gesture.

More on [ French Sign Language ]

French Sign Language - Twitter Search

@SchwinnSwan I only speak English, Italian, French, German, & American Sign Language. Oh, did I wuin your wittle attempt to put me down?
tzikeh (tzikeh) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:48:27 -0000
@SchwinnSwan I only speak English, Italian, French, German, & American Sign Language. Oh, did I wuin your wittle attempt to put me down?
A latino or french man can go on for 10 mins telling you how mad he is at you, where as with sign language, all it takes is one finger. (:
heeythereerin (Erin Boodala) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:41:44 -0000
A latino or french man can go on for 10 mins telling you how mad he is at you, where as with sign language, all it takes is one finger. (:
RT @quaik8 : Signes is out !! So proud of our Work !! an iPhone app to familiarize with the french sign language http://tinyurl.com/yfjlbtk
smallz972 (Thomas Largen) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:37:22 -0000
RT @quaik8 : Signes is out !! So proud of our Work !! an iPhone app to familiarize with the french sign language http://tinyurl.com/yfjlbtk
Signes is out !! So proud of our Work !! an iPhone app to familiarize with the french sign language http://tinyurl.com/yfjlbtk check it out
quaik8 (JeanSebastien CHOISY) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:06:50 -0000
Signes is out !! So proud of our Work !! an iPhone app to familiarize with the french sign language http://tinyurl.com/yfjlbtk check it out
My son (grade 6) is learning the alphabet in French & in sign language at the same time. They should do this with all 2nd language courses!
periwinklesteph (Momwheresmy?...) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:01:04 -0000
My son (grade 6) is learning the alphabet in French & in sign language at the same time. They should do this with all 2nd language courses!
"He speaks french and spanish but no english.. I'm learning sign language so we can communicate"
adullbrilliance (kevin hicks) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:09:17 -0000
"He speaks french and spanish but no english.. I'm learning sign language so we can communicate"

Subscribe to French_Sign_Language RSS feed