<P> Until the 19th century, most of what we know about historical sign languages is limited to the manual alphabets (fingerspelling systems) that were invented to facilitate transfer of words from an oral to a sign language, rather than documentation of the sign language itself . Many sign languages have developed independently throughout the world, and no first sign language can be identified . Both signed systems and manual alphabets were found worldwide, and, though most recorded instances of sign languages seem to occur in Europe in the 17th century, it is possible that popular European ideals have overshadowed much of the attention earlier signed systems may have otherwise received . It was commonly accepted, for instance, that "the deaf" could not be educated; when John of Beverley, Archbishop of York, taught a deaf person to speak in 685 AD, it was deemed a miracle, and he was later canonized Generally, philosophies linking (spoken) language and intelligence persisted well into the Enlightenment . Such hegemonic ideas may have prevented the recognition of histories of certain groups for whom sign languages were integral . Earlier than the 17th century, however, groups of Deaf people may have already lived together in communities, where even in small numbers they may have communicated through basic signing systems . </P> <P> In Native American communities prior to 1492, for instance, it seems one or more signed systems existed as a "lingua franca" which neighboring tribes used to communicate with one another Native American communities believed people born deaf were physically and mentally capable, while people in Europe, starting with the urging of Pedro Ponce de León, would not begin to believe so until the late 16th century . Accounts of such signing indicate these languages were fairly complex, as ethnographers such as Cabeza de Vaca described detailed communications between them and Native Americans that were conducted in sign . A number of Martha's Vineyard settlers from a community in Kent, England, for instance, seemed to be carriers of deaf genes, leading to a high density of deaf individuals on the island from the 1700s, being the highest around 1840 . This environment proved ideal for the development of what is today known as Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, which was used by hearing and deaf islanders alike . Years earlier, their Kentish ancestors, too, may have had a number of deaf community members and developed their own signing system as well . </P> <P> Even earlier, between 1500 and 1700, it seems that members of the Turkish Ottoman court were using a form of signed communication (Miles). Many sought - after servants were deaf, as, some argue, they were seen as more quiet and trustworthy . Many diplomats and other hearing members of the court, however, also learned and communicated amongst one another through this signing system, which was passed down through the deaf members of the court . </P> <P> In 1620, Juan Pablo Bonet published Reducción de las letras y arte para enseñar a hablar a los mudos (' Reduction of letters and art for teaching mute people to speak') in Madrid . It is considered the first modern treaty of phonetics and speech therapy, setting out a method of oral education for deaf children by means of the use of manual signs, in the form of a manual alphabet to improve communication with the deaf . It is suggested that Pedro Ponce de León developed the first manual alphabet from which Juan Pablo Bonet based his writings . </P>

How did the term 'auslan' came into being