Sign language can go beyond helping deaf people. It can help children who aren't hearing-impaired with their English skills.

Marilyn Daniels, assistant professor of speech communication at the Worthington Scranton Campus, discovered a significant value in teaching sign language to children. Children in a test group who both speak and sign performed 10 points higher than the average scores of children who know only spoken English.

"I think anyone who doubts the effect of acquiring languages in both signed and spoken form will need strong evidence to counter her findings," said William Stokoe, professor at Gallaudet University and a pioneer in the study of sign language.

In the fall of 1991 and spring of 1992, Daniels tested 14 children who possess normal hearing and proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English that was acquired simultaneously with ASL during the normal period of language development.

The instrument chosen was the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, a well-respected, reliable testing device that has been used in its original form since the 1960s, Daniels said.

An ordinary, random sample of subjects would show variation in scores, but the 14 bilingual, bimodal children in this project achieved scores significantly higher than expected, Daniels said.

"I am not surprised by this research; deaf children who learn ASL and English are very linguistic," said Anne Sidone, assistant professor of communication disorders.

Daniels said by signing what is being vocally expressed, a child receives additional cues; the signs represent the message both visually and kinesthetically. This experience delivers the message in visual, auditory and physical-kinetic form together.

These multiple neural signals may lead to a multiple imprinting on the learner's memory, and the two languages -- ASL and spoken English -- together offer a richer language base for young learners, she added.

Pam Herring (senior-rehabilitation education) said if more people know both languages, it will increase communications between deaf and hearing people.