Truly a “manual alphabet,” the symbols on the chart were invented by the Abbe of Lepee in France in 1760. The hand signals allowed deaf people, who were often also unable to speak, to communicate with the hearing and with each other. Although referred to as an alphabet, the system contains many more than twenty-six symbols. The chart was published and sold by Harvey Hatch.
Hatch, Harvey. The Manual Alphabet for the Deaf and Dumb. Broadside/Poster. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/2000-20-501/. Accessed on December 5, 2024.
Please note: Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.