Research has shown that Hand Talk is still being used by a small number of deaf and hearing descendants of the Plains Indian cultures.
“Hand Talk is endangered and dying quickly,” said Melanie McKay-Cody, who identifies herself as Cherokee Deaf and is an expert in anthropological linguistics.
McKay-Cody is the first deaf researcher to specialize in North American Hand Talk and today works with tribes to help them preserve their signed languages. She is pushing for PISL to be incorporated into mainstream education of the deaf.
((Quick note: This isn’t what American Sign Language or (ASL) refers to. We got most of our official signs and influences from the French.
Also fun fact: Every nation has their own form of sign language. It isn’t the same everywhere you go.))
Native American Hand Talkers Fight to Keep Sign Language Alive
AngelMihe 