F or many years, no one could communicate with people who had been born without hearing. T hese deaf people were not able to use a spoken language. B ut, beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. U sing this language, they could share thoughts and ideas with others. T he language they used was a language without sound. I t was a sign language. H ow did this sign language work? T he deaf were taught to make certain movements using their hands, faces, and bodies. T hese movements stood for things and ideas. P eople might move their forefingers across their lips. T his meant, “ You are not telling the truth. ” T hey might tap their chins with three fingers. T his meant “ my uncle. ” T he deaf were also taught to use a finger alphabet. T hey used their fingers to make the letters of the alphabet. I n this way, they spelled out words. S ome deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute. S ign language and finger spelling are not used as much as they once were. T oday, the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. T hey are also taught how to speak.