What is the primary focus of American Sign Language (ASL)?

The primary focus of American Sign Language (ASL) is to express ideas through signs and body language. ASL is a complete, natural language that has its own grammar and syntax distinct from English. It utilizes visual-manual modality to convey meaning, including gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to represent concepts. This allows for rich communication among individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who choose to use ASL as their primary language.

Using signs to express thoughts and emotions is central to ASL, making it a unique form of communication that emphasizes visual language rather than relying on any oral or written form. It encompasses a wide range of expressions, including storytelling, social conversation, and conveying complex ideas, which are all essential attributes of effective communication within the Deaf community.