ABSTRACT
Language is a mental potential that involves, among other features, a lexicon (vocabulary) and rules to combine lexical items (a grammar). To be of use, the linguistic potential must be “released” from the individual’s mind and delivered by some means to the minds of the receivers. Speech is one delivery system for language. But the auditory-vocal method of delivery is not the only channel on which linguistic information can be carried and received. Language can also be conveyed through the manual-visual channel by the use of sign language or writing.
