Researchers in Hawaii, US President Barack Obama's birth place, have documented for the first time a sign language which deaf people across the islands' diverse ethnic groups have used for decades.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa said that they had documented for the first time Hawaii Sign Language, or HSL, which deaf people have used for long.
While there is written evidence dating back to 1821 indicating such a language existed, beginning in the 1940s it started to get largely phased out in favour of American Sign Language.
Researchers identified about 40 Hawaiians who still use it -- interviewing 19 of them, plus two adult children, on four islands for their study. But they are all 80 years of age or older, making it imperative to act now in order to preserve it before it is too late.
"Researchers are committed to a long term study of HSL with the goals of producing ... A dictionary (and) archived videotaped data," said James Woodward, an Adjunct Professor of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii at Mano.
"It is also hoped that an effort can be made to revitalise HSL, so that it can be taught in high schools and universities in Hawaii," CNN quoted Woodward as saying.
While the now-prevailing ASL or International Sign Language has rubbed off some, Woodward said it's been relatively minimal among those practicing HSL.
Specifically, at least 80 per cent of its signs are distinct, while the rest come from ASL -- which he said is enough to characterise it as its own language, rather than a dialect.
For example, the HSL word for father is to wag your finger -- whereas in ASL, it's an open hand with fingers spread and a thumb to the forehead. Want to say that someone is telling a lie? Then put an index finger in the middle of your throat.
The grammar structure in Hawaii Sign Language also differentiates it from ASL, Woodward noted.
"Sign languages ... Evolve in a community of users, and are not signed versions of spoken languages," the university said in a press release, adding that "The full history of HSL is yet to be told.
