词海拾贝

难句剖析

When you wave to a friend who is across the street,you are using sign language.When you raise your hand in class,you are saying,“Please ask me.I think I know the correct answer.” Babies who can’t talk can point at things.They are using sign language.A policeman who wants to stop traffic holds up his hands.He is using sign language. Many years ago,a French priest,Charles Michel de L’Epee,became interested in education for deaf people.He invented a finger alphabet①.It is still in use.People can make the sign for letters and spell words with their hands,and deaf people can read and understand them.Soon there were schools for the deaf in many countries.The only higher education institution for the deaf is Gallaudet University in Washington,D.C.