Deaf children unable to acquire oral language naturally and who are not exposed to a standard manual language can spontaneously develop a structured sign system that has many of the properties of natural spoken language. This communication system appears to be largely the invention of the child himself. (Authors/BT)

Described is a means of telecommunication for the deaf. American video telephone (Picturephone) is a telephone for the deaf which transmits a picture of the sender who is able to use American Sign Language (ASL) and to fingerspell to the reader using video transmission. (DS)

Reviews a study on deaf native sign language. Indicates that the modification of natural perceptual categories after language acquisition is not bound to a particular transmission modality, but rather can be a more general consequence of acquiring a formal linguistic system. (Author/SK)