What is Signing Exact English (SEE)?
Signing Exact English (SEE) is a communication system that uses sign language to represent and follow the exact English grammar structure. Unlike American Sign Language (ASL), SEE follows the word order and grammatical rules of spoken English. Furthermore, while it is based on ASL, it also employs additional signs or expressions to convey specific grammatical elements of spoken English.
SEE was developed in the United States in the 1970s, primarily for educational purposes: to help Deaf and hard-of-hearing students visually understand the structure of spoken English and learn the language,
ASL does not represent English exactly as spoken and written, as it is a natural, independent language with its own unique grammar. On the other hand, SEE is developed to visualize English words and grammar as accurately as possible.
Due to this characteristic, SEE was used in some English-speaking families and among educators to connect signing with written English, and it is still used to this day in some schools and homes. However, it is important to note that SEE is not a form of ASL.
Indeed, both systems have played different roles in Deaf education, communication, and community.
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