Hand Talk - Science Nation

The video explores the history and current status of Plains Indian Sign Language, a communication method used by Native American tribes for over 200 years. Despite its historical significance, the language is now endangered, with only a few dozen users remaining. Efforts are underway to document and preserve it, led by linguistics professor Jeffrey Davis. The video highlights the cultural importance of the language, its use in intertribal communication, and the beauty of its expression. Historical recordings from the 1930s are discussed, emphasizing the urgency of preservation as many spoken languages face extinction.

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